MillwallSport

Scotland and Ireland ‘had a little go’ at seeing if Millwall star was eligible to represent them

Only Premier League superstars Mohamed Salah, Heung-Min Son and Riyad Mahrez have produced more goals and assists since the start of the 2017-18 season. So it’s no surprise to hear that Jed Wallace’s international options have been explored.

The Millwall winger is part of a pretty exclusive group of players who have scored at least 30 goals and 30 assists over the period.

Wallace has netted 36 times and set up another 32, nudging him just ahead of West Ham’s Said Benrahma (31 goals and 31 assists).

Former Charlton target Sorba Thomas has recently been selected by Wales after starring for Huddersfield this season, with six assists and one goal. Other leading attackers at the level are Reading’s John Swift, who represented England at U21 level, and Cardiff City’s Telford-born Ryan Giles, 21, who has won four caps for the Three Lions’ U20 side.

“Over the years I think Scotland and Ireland have had a little go at trying to see if I can [represent them],” said Wallace, who made one appearance for England U19s against Scotland while on Portsmouth’s books. “I think I miss out by one generation. I don’t think I can do it.

“But listen, who knows [about England]? Jamie Vardy didn’t do it until he was however old. There are a lot of 26 or 27 year old lads out there hoping they can be the next Jamie Vardy – stranger things have happened.”

Wallace can see plenty of upsides from having some extra time off in the international breaks, the latest of those ending this weekend when Millwall head back into Championship action against Luton Town in SE16

“I enjoy the time at home,” he said. “I love being with my kids. A lot of time, with football, I’m away for two or three nights a week. It’s nice to have a Sunday and Monday off and spend that with my kids and my missus.

“I’m a very intense character. So me being away from football, at times, can be a good thing. It lets me switch off a little bit from thinking about football and not building it up too much in my mind.

“Football is intense anyway but when you play for Millwall it feels 10 times more intense. It’s that kind of club where there are fanatical people and I’ve also been here a long time, so it means a lot to me. I’m so determined for us to bridge that gap that I put a lot of physical and emotional effort into it. It can be draining. It’s not just the distances you’re covering but the mental side too.

“Sometimes it can be nice to think about sticker books and soft plays rather than run after a ball that someone has hit into the channel for 70 yards.”

Wallace is an admirer of Luton boss Nathan Jones.

“He’s done a great job. He’s a manager I’ve always looked at and thought ‘I’d like to play for the guy’. He has a really attacking style of play. They get on the front foot.

“They are one of the smaller clubs in the league but they certainly play with that energy, they are very aggressive.”

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