Arsenal legend gives reasons why Tammy Abraham should pick England instead of Nigeria

Arsenal and England retired player Ray Parlour has advised Chelsea’s 21-year-old striker to choose England instead of Nigeria.

Tammy Abraham with four goals in the Premier League this season is England’s out and out leading scorer as a striker.

Tammy Abraham who came through the ranks at Chelsea and England is on the radar of the Nigerian Football Federation despite playing at different age grade games for England.

Despite playing in an international friendly for the English national team he is eligible to play for the country of his father and the young man whose father has a good relationship with the NFF chief is yet to make his final decision.

But Ray Parlour has told him to stay with England where it all started for him as would get his chances with the Three Lions.

“If he keeps scoring goals, he will definitely get into the England squad,” the ex-Arsenal midfielder told talkSPORT. “Jamie Vardy has retired and they’re lacking a little bit up front.

“He’s got an opportunity to be in the squad, but obviously he won’t be in front of Harry Kane.”

Ray Parlour also mentioned the special relationship between the present three Lions manager Gareth Southgate and Tammy Abraham as another reason why he should wait for his England chance instead of playing for Nigeria.

“Once you start with a country as a youngster, I think you should stick with them,” Parlour added.

“It’s up to the player; he’s looking at whether he’ll get an opportunity.

“It’s a battle, because there are a lot of good players at England, and you’ll get a lot more caps if you go elsewhere.”

Parlour continued: “As a manager, you’d be on the phone straight away saying, ‘You’re in my plans, keep playing as you are, and you’ll get an opportunity’. That’s what I’d be doing if I was Gareth Southgate.”