AFC Bournemouth’s Ben Greenwood has backed Callum Wilson to have a good World Cup in an interview with HITC Football. He also expects Jamal Musiala to be Germany’s ‘spark’.
But ‘as of now’ Greenwood would declare for the Republic of Ireland over England. The 19-year-old has revealed his allegiances lie with the Boys in Green. He has played for both at the junior level. He represented England Schoolboys before the Republic of Ireland’s U19s.
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Greenwood only found out that he was eligible to represent the Republic of Ireland after joining Bournemouth in 2019. The Cherries signed the left-back for their academy, despite never previously being a part of a professional set-up. He later earned a pro deal in 2021.
Greenwood to repay his family with his allegiance to the Republic of Ireland
The teenager is eligible to represent the Republic of Ireland through his grandfather on his mother’s side of the family. Now, Greenwood is returning their trust after offering him the opportunity to feature at a higher international level. He is also looking to repay his family.
“I played for England Schoolboys when I was in college, so I would have been about 16 just before I went on trial anywhere,” he said. “When I signed for Bournemouth, I then found out I was eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland. I played for their Under-19s.
“So, as of now, I think my allegiances, my loyalties lie with the Republic of Ireland because they gave me the opportunity on a bigger stage and I would sort of be repaying my Grandad. Unfortunately, I never got to meet him so I’d like to think he’d be really proud of me for playing for them.”
Bournemouth’s Greenwood backed Wilson to deliver for England in our interview
Greenwood’s first year at Bournemouth also coincided with Wilson’s last before securing a £20m transfer to Newcastle United in 2020. The forward also made the most recent of his four caps for England in October 2019 following his debut under Gareth Southgate in 2018.
After three years, Wilson is now back in Southgate’s plans as England head to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup. The 30-year-old flew to the Middle East after hitting six goals in 11 games as Newcastle produced a stunning start to their Premier League season to sit in third place.
Now, Greenwood is backing Wilson to produce a good World Cup after earning a spot over Ivan Toney of Brentford. The full-back also feels Three Lions fans will not be disappointed if Wilson has to lead the line should an injury befall captain Harry Kane over the tournament.
“I think he will,” Greenwood told HITC Football in our interview. “I think he’ll be a very good player that offers us something different. He just knows where the goal is, as well as being a really strong, powerful player he knows how to finish, as well.
“I think there’s a lot of controversy between who should have gone, him and Toney. But I don’t think you can ignore that Newcastle are third and he’s a key part to that Newcastle team, at the moment. Really showing off how clinical he is in front of the goal and being the real, proper No.9 that I know he can be. So, yeah, I see him having a good tournament.
“I think he can [lead the line], I think he will if Kane gets injured. I can’t see Gareth putting anyone that’s not a No.9 there, I think he will go with another striker and, obviously, that is Cal. So, hopefully it doesn’t happen, but if Kane does get injured, I think Callum Wilson will be ready and I don’t think people will be disappointed.”
Musiala is ‘going to be Germany’s spark’ at Qatar 2022 for Greenwood
Should England replicate their Russia 2018 exploits and reach the World Cup semi-finals at Qatar 2022, Germany may await. They will need to win and finish second in Group B and E respectively, or visa-versa, before progressing beyond the Round of 16 and quarter-finals.
If both countries win or finish second in their respective groups, the Three Lions and Die Mannschaft could then play out the final in Lusail on December 18 in a repeat of the 1966 showcase England won. The Three Lions won their only title so far in 1966 after extra time.
While Greenwood backs Wilson to deliver for England in Qatar, the Bournemouth gem also expects Musiala to be Germany’s ‘spark’ at the World Cup. He played with the 19-year-old during a trial period at Chelsea. He was in west London before joining the Cherries in 2019.
“When I was at Chelsea, I played with Jamal Musiala,” Greenwood said. “The one that plays for Bayern and you could tell at that age that he was going to be a serious player.
“The way he could handle the ball in such tight areas. He did some outstanding things when I was watching him, just playing with him as well in training, let alone in games.
“100% [I’m looking forward to watching Musiala for Germany]. Obviously, when you’re in football and you have sort of these ties to people.
“Obviously, I played with him, you sort of look out for them, see how they’re doing and check up on has he scored and stuff like that, check in the news and stuff. But yeah, I expect he’s going to be Germany’s spark this World Cup.”
Musiala left Chelsea’s academy to join Bayern Munich in 2019 and is now a key part of Der FCB’s first-team. The 17-cap Germany maestro made his 100th senior appearance before the World Cup break. He also boasts 27 goals and 17 assists for the Allianz Arena natives.
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