Liverpool's Neco Williams at the centre of another England and Wales tug-of-war

February 6, 2020
Posted by Steven Tan | Source from WalesOnline.co.uk
Neco Williams is set to spark yet another tug-of-war between England and Wales.
 
The Liverpool starlet has been heavily tipped for a big future following a handful of sparkling performances for the Reds, with Wales boss Ryan Giggs believed to be keeping a close eye on the Wrexham-born full-back's progress.
 
Having already appeared for Wales at under-19 level, calls are growing for him to be included in plans for Euro 2020 this summer, and the pressure to give Williams a senior cap may well be about to increase.
 
According to the Mirror, England are very keen on snapping him up, with the 18-year-old eligible for the Three Lions due to his English grandparents.
 
Sources at the FAW are currently relaxed on the issue and have told WalesOnline that there has been no indication whatsoever of Williams switching allegiances, with the youngster in contention to be included in the friendlies with Austria and the USA at the end of next month.
 
Nevertheless, England appear keen.
 
Under-20s boss Paul Simpson was reportedly at Anfield on Tuesday night to take in a man-of-the-match performance form the teenager as the Reds booked their place in the FA Cup fifth round with a 1-0 win over Shrewsbury, and there have been suggestions that England may well try and persuade the player to switch.
 
Interest from across the border comes despite a wealth of options available to Gareth Southgate.
 
Liverpool team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold is likely to be first choice for club and country for the foreseeable future, while the likes of Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker are also likely to be ahead of Williams in the immediate pecking order.
 
Williams is just the latest player to have found himself at the centre of a potential tug-of-war between the two nations.
 
Efforts were made to get English-born duo David Brooks and Ben Woodburn both on board, with the former even representing the Three Lions at youth level.
 
Both eventually opted to play for Wales, and those on this side of the border will be hoping that Williams will do the same.
 
If not, he would potentially become only the second Welsh-born player in 144 years to represent England, following in the footsteps of former Liverpool full-back Rob Jones, who coincidentally was also born in Wrexham.
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