Ollie Watkins

[chrisw1]

If I was a footballer I would 100% want to play international football and I struggle to understand players who don't want to.

[AV84]

If I was a footballer I would 100% want to play international football and I struggle to understand players who don't want to.

I don't know if it happens in the UK as much as in other places but there are a lot of people who ended up as professional footballers because they had talent and it was a way out of bad situations. Not everyone grew up with the idea of being a football player as a dream. Some people just see it as a job, and as such they're employed by their clubs.

[Sexual Ealing]

If I was a footballer I would 100% want to play international football and I struggle to understand players who don't want to.

I'd struggle to find a country I wanted to play for.

[Dogtanian]

It depends if it’s about the football or not.

If you’re not going to play then it becomes about the experience being at the camp. If it’s not a coaching team or group of players you enjoy working with, it must be a difficult.

I work with people all day, some of them for nearly two decades, but I absolutely hate going away with work. I feel trapped and unable to really relax, and the idea of doing it for a month would break me out in a cold sweat.

That reminds me… the fella’s family have arrived for easter roast dinner and it’s getting to the point where staying up here on my own any longer will seem rude.  :'(

[Risso]

If I was a footballer I would 100% want to play international football and I struggle to understand players who don't want to.

I don't know if it happens in the UK as much as in other places but there are a lot of people who ended up as professional footballers because they had talent and it was a way out of bad situations. Not everyone grew up with the idea of being a football player as a dream. Some people just see it as a job, and as such they're employed by their clubs.

I would guess that most English footballers came from relatively humble beginnings. The very best (the likes of Foden and Saka etc) are being given multiple million pound contracts at a very young age, and so depending on the type of upbringing they've had, it affects them in different ways. Ben White isn't bothered about any sort of football, apparently, beyond it being his job.

[LeeB]

I'm bothered about football, obvs as the kids say, but think I would've struggled to be arsed to want to play for England and would've declared for Ireland as it always looked more fun.

[Simon Page]

There'll only be a handful of top sportspeople who wouldn't give everything to play for their country. But even if you had a flag-hating lazyarse who sees football as just a job, at the very least the increased profile and subsequent earnings would probably swing it, especially if you're from one of the high profile nations. Most elite athletes do actually like competing as often as possible.

[olaftab]

If I was a footballer I would 100% want to play international football and I struggle to understand players who don't want to.

When you say that you're getting near "I will fight for my country" which is a totally different thing. Some people just see football for what it is a game to play and enjoy.

[Sexual Ealing]

I'm bothered about football, obvs as the kids say, but think I would've struggled to be arsed to want to play for England and would've declared for Ireland as it always looked more fun.

I qualify for both Irelands and Scotland. I'm 46, a stone overweight and have a penchant for substance abuse. Why couldn't I be fucking Welsh?!

[LeeB]

I'm bothered about football, obvs as the kids say, but think I would've struggled to be arsed to want to play for England and would've declared for Ireland as it always looked more fun.

I qualify for both Irelands and Scotland. I'm 46, a stone overweight and have a penchant for substance abuse. Why couldn't I be fucking Welsh?!

You'd be in my squad mate, a proven performer at International level.

[Sexual Ealing]

Thanks mate.

[olaftab]

There'll only be a handful of top sportspeople who wouldn't give everything to play for their country. But even if you had a flag-hating lazyarse who sees football as just a job, at the very least the increased profile and subsequent earnings would probably swing it, especially if you're from one of the high profile nations. Most elite athletes do actually like competing as often as possible.

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Footballers and Cricketers have in the past (and probably will in future) chosen to play for England, purely for commercial reasons. The list includes South African and New Zealand cricketers and  footballers of Irish/Welsh/Scottish ancestry. "My Country" in not in their top priority.

One draw was to play at the highest level you have to play for the national side: that is no longer the case. CL and IPL have changed that.

[Smirker]

I would be eligible for England, Ireland, Northern Ireland and a small Central American country.

I would only play for England or Northern Ireland.

[Sexual Ealing]

Oh, I'm eligible for England too, but it's just not going to happen while they have those woke flags on the back of the shirt.

[PeterWithesShin]

In an era of obscene wages and it's all about the PL and CL, I like that for many players playing for their country is still a big thing and means a lot to them.