Aaron Wan-Bissaka to reject DR Congo

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday May 08, 2019. 12:00

Crystal Palace right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka says he is fully focused on playing for England despite interest in him from the DR Congo national team.

Wan-Bissaka was born in England but is of Congolese descent and has represented the country at junior international level in the past, though more recently he has switched allegiance to England’s U-20 and U-21 teams.

DRC would love to include Wan-Bissaka in their team for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (where they will come up against hosts Egypt, Zimbabwe and Uganda in Group A), but the player has no interest in such a proposition at this point of his career.

“The aim is England,” the right-back told Standard Sport. “I am happy playing with England and representing England, so that is what I am going to continue doing.

“My aim is just to keep playing and improving. By improving hopefully that does not go unnoticed and that will get me the chance, the same as it did with the team (Crystal Palace) now.”

The Eagles player faces stiff competition in his position for the England set-up, with manager Gareth Southgate also able to call on the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Tripper and Kyle Walker.

However, the defender has begun to establish himself in the Under-21 side and he is eyeing going all the way at the European Under-21 Championship this summer.

“Of course, that is where the focus is,” Wan-Bissaka added. “When the season ends, it is about focusing on the Euros and aiming to win it. Then after that is about focusing on the next season.”