This is very true. Boeteng, Ozil, Khedira, and Podolski were all raised in Germany and the result of years of German coaching and German resources via the nurturing of German academies.
They were all raised in Germany and Podolski was the only one not born in Germany and he moved to Germany at 2.
Don't let their skin colour/names fool you, they were all born an raised in Germany.But had foreign blood in 'em, as is the same with Grealish.
What does that even mean? Ozil is a third generation German.
It's a different case to Grealish though, as they chose to play for the country they were born and raised in.
Though, the comparison with Grealish would only work if he declares for England or if Khedira, Ozil, Podolski and Boateng had declared for Tunisia, Turkey, Poland and Ghana respectively. A better comparison would be Kevin Prince Boateng.
Well that's true, it's just the attempts to compare it to Germany and the positive aspects of their immigration and integration to their national team that fall down here I'd say.
Exactly.
I wouldn't be upset, absolutely not. If he feels English then all the power to him, I've always respected Nolan for declining our approaches, he never felt Irish.
Exactly!
Erin go Bragh - spoke to a pal of mine who is a friend of his brothers cousin and he said that he has a tricolour above his bed and he gave his girlfriend a claddagh ring over a dinner of cabbage and ribs. He's declaring for Ireland.
Does he say 'shift' instead of 'snog'? Does he understand all Father Ted references? Does he know all the different types of rain? Does he suffer withdrawal symptoms if he goes a day without potato?
This. The fact he did join up with our under 21's is something though.
Yep. He's maybe a bit conflicted right now, I'm sure Keano can point him in the right direction though.
It is a massive decision in fairness. Unlike playing for us at underage, representing us at senior level would mean no turning back. Probably the best approach from our point of view is to put no pressure on him whatsoever, but ya our assistant manager working with him on a daily basis is bound to help, not to mention Shay.Yep. He's maybe a bit conflicted right now, I'm sure Keano can point him in the right direction though.
Supposedly it was just free flights to and from his international debutMichael O’Leary has offered Jack Grealish’s family free flights if he declares for Ireland.
Neymar has it in his contracts that barca pay for flights and stay of his friends/family from brazil when they come over.Supposedly it was just free flights to and from his international debut
Got to be a piss-take.
Yeah but we're talking about one return flight here, from England to Ireland, so he can go to one match - that's it.
What would those tickets even cost? 50 quid?Another poor vulnerable youngster conned by the FAI! Why is there no one to give him the proper advice on this before he makes his final decision? Why is John Delaney allowed to keep him in the boot of his car so no one from England can talk to him? Poor old @NoWinNoFee must be devastated that this crime has been allowed to occur.
Am I right in saying he can still technically switch alliegances if we only play him against the States?
Yep, if he plays in a friendly he can still play for England.
Yep, he'll still be eligible for England if he only plays against the USA but feck that lets get the champagne out.
Get In delighted that this super kid has declared for us....obviously proud of his roots....it will be another 3 or 4 years before he is ready for the first team though....but a huge boost to ireland....having a world class coach in martin o'neill definitely helped the situation.....this news has made my day...Grealish has just signed a new 4 year deal with villa so he obviously wanted to secure his own and his families financial future before commiting to international football which is very understandableAbsolutely amazing news
