Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer agree that Mason Greenwood should give up his hopes of returning to England. The former Manchester United striker recently scored twice for Marseille against Union Saint Giroise in the Champions League. He has been in brilliant form this season, leading to speculation that he could be recalled to the England squad for next summer’s World Cup.
Last year, there were reports that Greenwood had rejected an approach from the Jamaican national team and wanted to return to the England squad. Three months ago he secured Jamaican citizenship and a passport, but his disdain for the Reggae Boys suggests he continues to harbor Three Lions ambitions. England manager Thomas Tuchel has already made it clear that Greenwood is not part of his plans.
Mr Lineker and Mr Shearer have analyzed the situation and believe the right course of action for Greenwood is to continue his career overseas and represent Jamaica.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker said: “I want to talk about Mason Greenwood. He’s been doing great since then. I know there’s a lot of discussion around him and I know he’s been in such a bad situation.”
“He has been abroad and he is performing as well as last season, but this season he has performed very well in Marseille. Yesterday he scored two more goals and it was a great finish.”
“I don’t think he was going to play for England, he decided to play for Jamaica, but that’s another option for him.
“Do you think that makes sense? It must be difficult for him to be here, isn’t it?”
Shearer replied, “I think it was the right decision for him to go to another country. He just had to settle down and try to go out and play football.”
“I don’t think anyone ever doubted his ability. He was a very good football player with a lot of talent. I think everyone knew that.”
Greenwood’s England career ended with just one cap, against Iceland in the 2020 Nations League.
He and Phil Foden were both disciplined and sent home after inviting two women to separate sections of the England team’s hotel during the same international break, with both players breaching coronavirus protocols.
The pair were forced to apologize, with then England manager Gareth Southgate describing their actions as “naive”. Greenwood was included in the Euro 2020 squad but was unable to play due to an injury shortly before the tournament.
This season, Greenwood has appeared in 20 games for Marseille in all competitions, finding the back of the net 13 times and providing four assists.
He recently gave his first interview since leaving United, in which he praised former Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto de Zerbi, now in charge of Marseille.
“Thanks to my coach and teammates I’m in a really good position. I feel good and I want to improve this season so I can win more awards,” Greenwood told Telefoot.
“Roberto De Zerbi? He is the brains of the team and the architect of our game. He helps me understand football better and helps me improve every day.”
