Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden, who was wanted by West Ham in the summer, has opened up about his England hopes. Hayden has acknowledged that West Ham star Declan Rice is blocking his path to the England team, The Shields Gazette reports.
Hayden admitted that he dreams of playing for England one day. But he added that Gareth Southgate only selects one or two defensive-minded midfielders. The rest of his players have more ‘flair’.
Isaac Hayden on England’s midfield
With just one or two spots up for grabs, Hayden is battling against Rice and Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson for selection. While he thinks he has a chance, he did acknowledge the form of Rice and Henderson.
Hayden told The Shields Gazette: “Unfortunately, for me, I’ve got Jordan Henderson, Liverpool captain and Champions League winner, who in the last couple of years has really stepped up his game to the levels where he is now.
“Then you’ve obviously also got Declan Rice, who’s 20, and who has quit the Ireland, so it’s difficult to leave him out. It’s difficult for me to get in there, but I think the most important thing for me is to just keep playing the games I’m doing.”
West Ham and Isaac Hayden
During the summer, West Ham were one of the clubs interested in signing Hayden. The 24-year-old had expressed a desire to leave Newcastle and return to the south to move closer to his daughter.
According to The Northern Echo, Hayden was a target for West Ham. The Irons need another defensive midfielder and Hayden fits the bill. He is a proven performer in the Premier League and he would add to the homegrown quota.
In addition to Rice, Hayden could be a shrewd addition if West Ham explored this again in the future. But if he feels Rice is blocking his England chances, he might not fancy competing with the 20-year-old at club level too.
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