Young Manchester City Striker Dumps England for Germany

Declan Rice grabbed the headlines recently for choosing to represent England at senior international level despite previously filing out for the Republic of Ireland. But he’s not the only one switching allegiance. Young Manchester City striker Lukas Nmecha has also left England for Germany. The 20-year-old who was born in Hamburg has lived in England since he was still a child after his parents relocated to the country more than a decade ago.

Interestingly, the forward scored a goal for England’s U20 side in a 2-0 win over Germany, in a stunning 30-minute cameo which also included an assist, just four months ago. He had represented England through the age grades between Under-16 and Under-21, before making the rather unexpected U-turn.

There was a further twist as he made his debut for the German U-21 side against England. He came on as a second-half substitute on Tuesday to help Germany secure a 2-1 win over the England U-21 side at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium. Speaking after the game, Nmecha confirmed his decision to choose Germany over England committing his international future to Die Mannschaft.

“I chose Germany, where I was born, I’ve been thinking a long time about what I really want, that was the right decision, and it’s final.

”I learned 10 minutes before the game that I’m allowed to play, it was just pure joy, and the coach was happy with me,” he stated after the game.

Nmecha was sent out on loan to Championship side Preston North End for the 2018-19 campaign. He has so far scored two goals and set up another four in 33 games for the side.

The 20-year-old was involved with Manchester City’s first team squad for the 2018–19 pre season tour in the U.S. He scored his first goal for the first team on 29 July 2018 in a pre season friendly against Bayern Munich as City won 3–2. He later made his Premier League debut for City in April 2018 as a late substitute for Gabriel Jesus against West Ham United. It remains to be seen if he would step up to partner Jesus in the club’s attack in future.