ENGLAND are gunning for World Cup glory – and they could have had an even more formidable attack if they convinced some big names to pledge their allegiance to the Three Lions.
Thomas Tuchel’s side are preparing to battle it out with Norway in the quarter-finals after a over tournament co-hosts Mexico.
Harry Kane is chasing World Cup glory Credit: Getty
The England skipper could have formed a deadly strike partnership with Erling Haaland Credit: Getty
And Erling Haaland is set to be the Scandinavians’ biggest threat – having taken his tally to SEVEN goals with a on Sunday.
But, rather than battling Harry Kane for the coveted Golden Boot, the Manchester City hotshot could have been his deadly strike partner.
, 25, was eligible to feature for England after being born in Leeds while his dad Alfie was making a name for himself in the Premier League.
The lethal finisher made it clear that donning a Three Lions strip was never on the cards though.
He told Goal : “It was natural for me to choose Norway. You never know how it would be if maybe my father played longer in England or whatever.
“Maybe I would be English, I don’t know. But yeah, I’m Norwegian and I’m proud of it.”
England’s loss has been Norway’s gain – with him notching a sensational 62 goals in just 54 appearances.
Another one that got away is Michael Olise, who has struck up a stunning partnership with Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele in France’s front three despite being .
The Bayern Munich wing wizard, who is a big-money , is the son of a French-Algerian mother and a Nigerian father.
It meant Olise, 24, had a wide range of options when it came to choosing who to represent.
And the former Crystal Palace talisman, who would surely be ahead of Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke in the England pecking order, was happy when Les Bleus chief came calling.
He said: “I have always had a connection with the France national team, that is why I play for France.
“Nationality says where you come from, and I actually come from four countries – France, Algeria, Nigeria and Great Britain.
“I consider myself very lucky to possess these four parts, which all enrich me.
“I feel each individual part in me. I’ve developed attachments in all my countries.
“When I was growing up in London, we regularly visited Algeria, Nigeria and .”
Michael Olise chose France over England Credit: Getty
The former Crystal Palace winger would have created more chances for Jude Bellingham Credit: Getty
On the opposite flank for England, had things worked out differently, could have been Antoine Semenyo.
The Manchester City man, who headed to the Etihad Stadium in a in January, was born in London.
But Semenyo, 26, decided to pledge his international allegiance to Ghana in 2022.
And the ex-Bournemouth playmaker insisted .
Semenyo said: “I was never in the England underage teams, so never thought of it as a possibility.
“My family also loves Ghana, they all support them. My dad was so proud when I played for Ghana.
“I’m creating memories playing for a country that means a lot to me. It was an easy decision back then and one I’m proud of today.”
Jamal Musiala, whose hopes of winning the World Cup with Germany were ended thanks to a shock , turned his back on England.
Antoine Semenyo decided not to be Reece James’ team-mate Credit: Alamy
Jamal Musiala featured for England at youth level Credit: Getty
The attacking midfielder, 23, initially planned to break into the Three Lions’ senior squad after featuring for the Under-15s, U16s, U17s and U21s.
But an intervention from then-Germany chief Joachim Low .
And Musiala, who was born in Stuttgart before moving to England at the age of seven, has gone on to win the Champions League and SIX Bundesliga titles since the big call.
The Bayern Munich livewire could have been featuring alongside Jude Bellingham if he refused to change his mind.
There are a string of other World Cup stars who have been representing other nations despite initially being eligible to turn out for England.
DR Congo duo Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe, who were knocked out of the tournament by a earlier this month, both appeared for the Three Lions’ U21s.
Switzerland goalkeeper Marvin Keller, USA left-back Antonee Robinson and Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay were all born in England.
And Musiala’s Germany team-mate Felix Nmecha played for the Three Lions at youth level before committing to the country of his birth.
Folarin Balogun, who has been at the , could have been in England’s strikeforce.
The former Arsenal man was a reliable goalscorer for the U18s and U21s before accepting a call-up for the USA.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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