Denmark national team coach Brian Riemer is confident that Manchester United striker Chido Obi will commit his international future to Denmark rather than Nigeria.
Born in Glostrup, the 17-year-old qualifies to play for Nigeria through his Nigerian father, Prince Obi.
Despite his rapid rise at Manchester United, Obi was omitted from Denmark’s squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League quarter-final clash against Portugal.
The teenager has recently broken into United’s first team, making his Premier League and FA Cup debuts, and has already represented Denmark at U16, U17, and U18 levels.
With his talent evident, Brian Riemer has made it clear that Denmark is keen on keeping him.
“I have had conversations with him, and there has been ongoing dialogue with my colleagues in the DBU. When you are 17 years old and can play for Manchester United, you should be praised,” Riemer told Bold.dk.
Although Obi was not included in the final 23-man squad for the Nations League games, Riemer insists Denmark will continue to monitor his progress.
“On the Danish A-team, you want to play consistently, so the next step for him is to stick with Manchester United. But he is a player that we do a lot to follow closely, and we see him having an exciting future in Danish national football.
“Fortunately, he is a good kid who also feels Danish, so a lot is being done across the national team and management.”
Denmark has previously won similar recruitment battles, securing players like Manchester United’s Patrick Dorgu, Bournemouth loanee Philip Billing, and Portland Thorns defender Isabella Obaze.
Meanwhile, there has been no official word from the Nigerian Football Federation on whether they have made an effort to convince Obi to switch his allegiance to the Super Eagles.
