England Manager Tuchel Confirms Greenwood Not in Team Plans
England manager Thomas Tuchel has made it clear that Mason Greenwood is not on the radar for the national team, despite the player's recent resurgence at Marseille. Speaking at a press conference, Tuchel stated that Greenwood was "not in our thoughts" and that the team had not engaged with the 23-year-old forward.
Greenwood, who joined Marseille from Manchester United in a £26.6 million transfer in July 2024, has been in impressive form, scoring 23 goals in 39 appearances across all competitions. However, his international future remains uncertain as he navigates a potential switch to Jamaica.
Greenwood's International Dilemma
Greenwood, who earned his only England cap in a Nations League match against Iceland in September 2020, had begun the process of changing his allegiance to Jamaica. He obtained a Jamaican passport but has yet to complete the necessary paperwork to officially switch associations, citing a lack of readiness to commit to the Caribbean nation.
This indecision has frustrated Jamaica coach Steve McClaren, who had hoped to include Greenwood in his squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Bermuda and Trinidad and Tobago. McClaren expressed disappointment when Greenwood reportedly stated, "he's not going to commit at this time to anybody."
Tuchel's Perspective on Greenwood's Future
Tuchel acknowledged Greenwood's hesitation, saying, "I have not spoken to him until now. I have not spoken to him or his camp." He added, "My understanding was that he tries to play for Jamaica so we didn't give it another thought. He was not in the mix at the moment and he is not in our thoughts for our team."
The former England boss, McClaren, noted that Greenwood was taking his time over the decision, which was "a little bit disappointing." McClaren emphasized that they would continue to pursue Greenwood, as he knows from conversations with the player and his family that Greenwood "loves Jamaica, respects Jamaica."
Greenwood's Focus on Club Football
Greenwood's current focus appears to be on his club career, where he has flourished since joining Marseille. Tuchel highlighted that Greenwood is not ready to commit to an international team at this stage, stating, "He wants to concentrate on club football and not commit to an international team at the present moment. We have to respect that, however much we've worked hard to get him here for these camps. So, who knows in the future."
Looking Ahead
As Greenwood continues to excel at club level, his international future remains in limbo. While England has ruled him out for now, Jamaica remains hopeful of securing his services. The situation underscores the complexities of international football, where players often face difficult decisions about their allegiances.
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For now, Mason Greenwood's international future remains uncertain, with both England and Jamaica keeping a watchful eye on his decision. As he continues to shine at Marseille, the pressure to commit to a national team may grow, but for now, he remains focused on his club career
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