Stoke City: England is only option for me, says Shawcross
STOKE City captain Ryan Shawcross says he is fully committed to England, despite interest from Wales manager Chris Coleman.
The Wales boss has revealed he is considering an approach for Shawcross – but only if that's okay with Welsh skipper Aaron Ramsey.
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LION HEART: Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross has intimated he wants to play for England, despite reported interest from Wales.
However, even if he got the Arsenal midfielder's approval, it appears Coleman would be wasting his time with an approach for Shawcross.
The Stoke defender has made clear he sees his international future with England.
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He took to twitter yesterday to say: "Still focused on getting in the England squad, despite what's in the media."
Coleman is keen to strengthen the Welsh squad and wanted to call on 24-year-old Shawcross, who qualifies because he grew up in North Wales and was educated there.
However, Coleman said he would consult Wales skipper Ramsey because of the history between him and the Stoke player.
Shawcross's challenge broke Ramsey's leg in a game at the Britannia Stadium two years ago. The Arsenal player has never publicly accepted the defender's apology.
Coleman wanted Shawcross, along with Swansea City's Angel Rangel and Ben Turner of Cardiff.
However, the Wales boss said he would tread carefully in the case of Shawcross because of Ramsey.
He said: "There are issues there. I'm not going to shy away from that.
"Ryan Shawcross, Ben Turner, Angel Rangel – these are good players and players that could possibly strengthen us.
"But if I was going down that road, the first person I would speak to, especially in terms of Ryan, would be Aaron."
Shawcross has yet to make his full England debut, having been an unused substitute in his only call up, for a friendly against Egypt at Wembley in March 2010.
However, the Stoke defender has consistently made clear that he wants to play international football for England.
Speaking in 2009, he told The Sentinel: "I grew up in Wales and only moved away to play football. My family still lives there so I have big ties to North Wales, it is a lovely place."
Shawcross became qualified for Wales after FIFA changed their rules so players are eligible for a country if they have five years of compulsory education there.
Comments
by Potterspeil
Friday, July 13 2012, 8:47PM
“Ryan- good luck with your England ambitions. Maybe, one day?
You do not have to eat unnecessary humble pie in order to play for Wales and pander to the likes of Ramsey and Coleman for the dubious honour of playing for international honours for a country you were not even born in!”
by NOONESHOME
Friday, July 13 2012, 8:45PM
“It says a lot when Coleman has to ask Ramsey,who can't make it into the Arsenal team full time, "should i ask Ryan Shawwcross to come and play for Wales".Ryan Shawcross would captain Wales you clown Coleman.Well done Ryan,why would you want to play for an outfit ran by a jerk like him.”
by Davejjohnson
Friday, July 13 2012, 6:20PM
“Makes you wonder what the games come to. Could you imagine Brian Clough or Alf Ramsey asking one of his players who he should pick for his team. Legend has it that after breaking the transfer record to sign Trevor Francis Clough told him at the first team talk that whenever he got the ball he should pass it to John Robertson because John was a much better player. I doubt Clough believed that but it was one way of making sure that Francis was determined to go for goal. It's called man management Mr Coleman.”
by soccerfoot11
Thursday, July 12 2012, 2:43PM
“good for you Ryan, but honestly was it that much to think about ? its like asking someone if they would rather play for a premier league team or a league 2 team !”
by The_Locksmith
Thursday, July 12 2012, 1:43PM
“It is quite right for Ryan to stick two fingers up to Coleman - if he is such a weak manager that he has to *****-foot around an Arsenal squad player and gain his blessing before making a decision then it says all you need to know about Wales' ambition.
Wales, like Scotland, is a footballing backwater for players not quite good enough for England, and always will be.”
by potterwm
Thursday, July 12 2012, 1:36PM
“As a very proud Welshman and a Potter for over 50 years I say well done to Ryan,Coleman should be picking the team and not talking to Ramsey,Coleman is very much out of order!Yes,I will be watching Stoke at the Brit against Arsenal and also watching Wales in Cardiff against Belguim! Come on Stoke,proud to be a Potter!”
by brinsleymaclagan
Thursday, July 12 2012, 1:21PM
“Consult with Ramsey first?!
Who's picking the squad? Pathetic, Coleman
Ramsey won't accept Ryan's apology until he's grown up, so don't hold your breath!”
by Richard Swancott Associates
Thursday, July 12 2012, 10:58AM
“Coleman should be picking the team which is best for Wales, not best for Aaron Ramsey.
Well done Ryan.”
by wheatear
Thursday, July 12 2012, 10:40AM
“Well said Ryan, nail your flag to your own country's mast and remove any possibility of having to depend upon a player who has already shown himself to be less than a Gentelman in refusing to accept your apology for the incident. However bad the injury was, we all know it was unintentional.
Your comments could also be said to have removed a smoking gun before it went off!”