With Harvey Barnes and Elliot Anderson’s international futures still up in the air Newcastle United could find themselves with three other similar cases.
The eligibility rules for who players can represent at international level go beyond simply representing the country in which you were born. If that was the case then Erling Haaland would be an England forward having been born in Leeds.
A player’s parents and even grandparents’ country of origin also come into play which is why Newcastle academy graduate Elliot Anderson has represented Scotland despite being born and bred in Whitley Bay.
It’s a sign of the talent Newcastle have on their books now
His paternal grandmother is from Glasgow meaning he is eligible for both Scotland and England. While he’s yet to make a competitive senior appearance for Scotland, despite a recent call-up, Anderson remains eligible for England with Gareth Southgate an admirer of the 20-year-old.
Harvey Barnes has one cap for England but it came in a friendly versus Wales so he is also still available to switch allegiance with an eye on Scotland. Like Anderson, Barnes is eligible for Scotland through his grandparents. With the options available to Southgate in Barnes’ position he’s starting to feel a switch is the sensible move.
So those are the players we know about, but there are three others who may also look elsewhere if they are continually overlooked by the England set up.
Tino Livramento – New £32million signing Tino Livramento has his pick of three countries. The England youth international is still only 20 and could find himself called up for the Three Lions with Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker both the wrong side of 30, they’ll need replacing before long. Livramento has the quality to fill that void. However, should England look elsewhere Tino can play for Scotland or Portugal. Born to a Scottish mother and a Portuguese father in England, Livramento has his options open.
Joe Willock – Newcastle fans have been demanding an England call for Joe Willock for a while now as he’s probably one of the most underrated midfielders in the Premier League. Currently sidelined through injury, it’s unlikely he’s going to have to make his decision soon, but should that England call never come, Willock is eligible for Montserrat. His brother Matty has been twice capped by the country that just hired former Newcastle man Lee Bowyer as its head coach. Willock dreams of playing for England and will focus on that, but at least he’s got a back-up option.
Anthony Gordon – It’s very unlikely that Anthony Gordon will turn his back on England after winning the Under 21 Euros and picking up Player of the Tournament this summer, but should that senior call never come, Scotland and Republic of Ireland will be on standby. This is by far the least likely allegiance switch as it feels like Gordon is already on the cusp of an senior call-up for England.
What will happen to the Newcastle quintet’s international futures now?
With Southgate dropping into the role of picking favourites over form players, the aforementioned group may have to wait until his tenure is over before having a fair crack of the whip, but all of them have what it takes to wear the Three Lions and do England proud.
I can see Anderson and Barnes heading over the border, but the other three are prime England candidates. Elliot Anderson has represented Scotland at every level so far so he will feel that connection, and Barnes is just being overlooked and will need to pick a side sooner rather than later.
The remaining three will all end up in England shirts before too long, albeit post-Gareth Southgate.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
