After World Cup Snub, Abraham Invited To England U-21s Toulon Tournament Squad

Nigerian-born striker, Tammy Abraham has been included in the England U-21s squad to the Toulon tournament.

Abraham, had earlier being ignored by the England senior team Coach, Gareth Southgate, in his list for the World Cup, not even as a standby player.

Abraham could have been heading to the Russia 2018 World Cup with the Super Eagles but the Chelsea striker, who spent the just ended season on loan at relegated Swansea, turned down offers from the Nigeria Football Federation to play for the country of his heritage.

Abraham, born to Nigerian parents, opted for England last year after Nigeria Football Federation President Amaju Pinnick met with the Swansea striker and offered him a spot in the World Cup-bound Super Eagles.

Instead, the 20-year-old opted to play for England and got two senior caps against Germany and Brazil in friendlies in November.

The England U-21s will travel to Toulon for the annual Maurice Revello Tournament later this month, according to the official website of the Three Lions..

They will be aiming to win the title for a third successive year after victories in 2016 and 2017.

Aidy Boothroyd’s side will play initial games with China, Mexico and Qatar.

Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah, Chelsea’s Nigerian-born defender Fikayo Tomori, Liverpool’s Nigerian-born midfielder Ovie Ejaria and Everton midfielder Tom Davies are also in the squad.

“The Toulon Tournament is one that we are all looking forward to and we’ll be playing some really good and tough global opposition,” head coach Boothroyd told the England website.

“As the tournament rules only allow players born in 1997 and younger, it means that we have the chance to look at some of our players from the U20s and see how they develop in this group.

“Everything we do is focused on next summer’s Euros and qualification, so we will use our time in France to look at different systems and use players in different positions. It is also a great chance to replicate a major tournament environment and schedule.

“Ultimately we want to win every game and will be looking for that from the squad on and off the pitch.”

Below is the squad for the tournament:

Goalkeepers: Aaron Ramsdale (AFC Bournemouth), Freddie Woodman (Newcastle United)

Defenders: Jake Clarke-Salter (Chelsea), Jay Dasilva (Chelsea), Dael Fry (Middlesbrough), Jonjoe Kenny (Everton), Ezri Konsa (Charlton Athletic), Tom Pearce (Leeds United), Fikayo Tomori (Chelsea), Kyle Walker-Peters (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Harvey Barnes (Leicester City), Lewis Cook (AFC Bournemouth), Tom Davies (Everton), Kieran Dowell (Everton), Ovie Ejaria (Liverpool), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal)

Forwards: Tammy Abraham (Chelsea), Adam Armstrong (Newcastle United), Edward Nketiah (Arsenal), Lukas Nmecha (Manchester City)