Former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfielder Roy Keane has made a pointed dig towards England following Jamal Musiala’s decision to play for Germany at senior level.
The Bayern Munich midfielder, who was on the books of Southampton and Chelsea before joining Bayern’s academy, has become one of the hottest young prospects in world football and made his World Cup debut in their Group E defeat to Japan on Wednesday at the age of 19.
Musiala spent a large part of his childhood growing up in England after moving there at the age of seven and represented the Three Lions at under-15, under-16, under-17 and under-21 levels, as well as playing for Germany’s under-16s, having been born in Stuttgart.
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The teenager last year chose to play for Germany at senior level and considering his quality, many English fans have felt as if he is one that has got away.
Often, players have snubbed other countries to play for England, a list that includes West Ham United captain Declan Rice and Manchester City winger Jack Grealish. In 2018, Rice played three times for the Republic of Ireland before changing to the Three Lions, while Grealish has represented Ireland 19 times at youth level before making the same switch.
For Keane, who played 67 times for Ireland’s senior side between 1991 and 2005, he thinks England have gotten a taste of their own medicine over Musiala after previously convincing Rice and Grealish to play for them.
"The media ask you a question and you make a joke with them but obviously he’s (Musiala) a kid, he’s learning his trade,” Keane told ITV. "What a place to be learning, he’s playing regularly but it’s nice for England to get a taste of its own medicine.
"They’ve taken players; Rice, Grealish - don’t get me started on that. When players make that decision it’s not easy and you have to respect that but wonderful talent, there’s still potential and we’re looking forward to seeing him."
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