Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin hints at England switch
Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin appears to have opened the door to a possible future England call-up.
Last Updated: 16/03/14 10:54pm
The 24-year-old was born in Alsace and represented France at youth levels up to the Under-21s, but has continually been overlooked for the senior team despite some impressive performances for Saints.
"That's life," said Schneiderlin, who joined Southampton from Strasbourg in 2008.
"I left France very young and maybe because I played in the second division they lost me a bit and prefer other players who play in France.
"That's not up to me, it's people's tastes. I just do my best."
Schneiderlin still dreams of representing France, but he could explore representing England by virtue of the residency ruling.
Schneiderlin would be eligible to change nationality as he has not played a competitive match for the senior side, although such a move would also require a change in Football Association policy.
Asked if he would ever consider such a move, he said: "Never say never. Some people tell me I am [eligible], yes, so I think I am.
"Don't give me any time limit, I'll just see. Of course it's frustrating but I just need to keep focused and finish as high as possible and then we'll see after the World Cup."
Southampton defender Jose Fonte has been in England even longer than Schneiderlin and is another that in theory would be eligible for England due to residency rules, having been regularly overlooked by Portugal
The lack of recognition seems particularly harsh on the duo given the way Southampton's English players have been embraced by their national set-up, with Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Jay Rodriguez and Luke Shaw all vying for a World Cup berth.
"That's the mentality in France and Portugal," Schneiderlin said. "More opportunities are given in England.
"In England if you have two months of playing very well you're ready and on the list to play for England but that's not the case in France.
"Even if me and Jose have three good years we're still not in our national team, but that's life.
"We just need to carry on, maybe we're unlucky to come from France and Portugal."
