Exclusive – Nigel Reo-Coker: Players favour playing in the Champions League over representing their country

Former Aston Villa and West Ham midfielder, Nigel Reo-Coker, has told talkSPORT he believes the attraction of playing Champions League football now outweighs a player’s desire to represent their country.

The ex-England under-21 captain, who now plays in the MLS for Canadian side Vancouver Whitecaps, also said more players are given international caps without showing real international credentials, and that players from the Premier League’s biggest clubs are often selected for England above those from other teams, despite their playing ability and current form.

“I don’t think the pride of representing your country is there for a lot of players now,” Reo-Coker told Extra Time.

“There’s a lot more glitz and glam about playing in the Champions League as well as the matches between the top four or five Premier League clubs.

“And for a lot of the players, [receiving an England call-up] depends on what club you play for.

“It’s there for everyone to see. A lot of players from the bigger clubs make the England squad, regardless if they’re playing week-in week-out or not.

“A lot of players are given the opportunity and for a lot of them it's not something you can say they've have had to work really hard for.”