JAMAL MUSIALA poses a huge threat to England’s Euro 2024 campaign – but it could have been so different.
The Bayern Munich star helped the hosts trounce Scotland 5-1 in their opening match of the tournament.
And it was sure to have struck fear into the eyes of rival nations, including Gareth Southgate’s England.
But, there was once a time when Musiala stepped out with the Three Lions on his chest.
Born in Stuttgart, Germany, Musiala moved to London aged seven with his parents.
Before long, he was picked up by some of the capital’s best academies including Chelsea.
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During his time in the Blues’ youth set up, Musiala represented England at Under-15 all the way to U21 level.
It was there he formed a formidable friendship and bond with Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham.
Last October, Bellingham pipped his pal to the Kopa Trophy, an award for best-performing under 21 player.
And Bellingham said: “It’s crazy because we were team-mates with England two or three – maybe a bit longer – years ago and he’s one of my best mates in football.
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“So I’m really proud of him and I’ll always keep in touch to see how he’s getting on. A great lad and a great player.”
Musiala, 21, has now made 30 Germany caps with three goals and featured in the previous European championship and 2022 World Cup.
But England are not the only nation to have missed out on his allegiance.
He was eligible to play for Nigeria due to his dad’s heritage – something he once considered.
He said: “I could have played for Nigeria because it crossed my mind, and I thought about it well.
“I had good talks with Nigeria and Germany. So it really just came down to me and where I’d feel the most comfortable.
“So I decided to go with Germany.”
Germany Euro 2024 guide
GERMANY’S reputation as tournament football’s greatest nation has taken a battering in recent years.
The hosts haven’t won a knockout game in eight years and the pressure is on for them to get it right in front of their home crowd.
MANAGER: Julian Nagelsmann
Bright, young and a bit of a maverick. The ex-Bayern Munich boss is known for his flashy outfits and arriving for training on a skateboard.
STAR MAN: Jamal Musiala
The 21-year-old former Chelsea star could have been playing for England and can make things happen out of nothing.
How Germany attack
Toni Kroos will typically drop deep to take the ball off the defence with the Germans then overloading the side of the pitch the ball is on.
That gives them the option of either passing through the congested area or attacking the other side with a crossfield ball to the man in space.
How Germany defend
Germany’s striker and the team’s five midfielders will form a diamond shape in the hope of preventing the opposition playing through the middle.
Should opponents then play the ball wide, the German full-backs will be expected to press high up the pitch in an attempt to win possession.
Read the full Germany Euro 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags
In truth, it was a two horse race between Germany and England for Musiala’s international commitment.
And England could have been considered favourites as Musiala never represented Germany at youth level.
But after talks with both international chiefs, the playmaker opted for the 2014 World Cup winners.
He told Four Four Two in 2023: “I’d had a tough choice to make. I regularly chatted to the people at the FA and the DFB.
“They both made it clear that they wanted me to play for them. It was a difficult decision, as I was born in Germany but most of my memories growing up are in England – both are a part of me. It was an incredible feeling to get my first Germany cap.
“It felt right pulling that shirt on and representing my birth nation. I knew that I’d made the right decision.”
Musiala and Bellingham are considered key to Germany and England’s chances in this year’s Euros.
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But unlike in the past, they face having to line up against each other – not with each other.
And following Musiala’s dazzling performance against Scotland, it could go down as a major “what if” for the Three Lions.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
