Last week, fans across England were surprised when Hull City’s Tom Ince turned down the opportunity to play for the England U21 team.

The U21’s manager Gareth Southgate revealed that the winger, who is currently on loan at Derby County, had told him he was not interested in being considered for this summer’s European Championships. Southgate admitted his “disappointment” with Ince and many fans believe he has just blown his career. However, according to father, Paul Ince, it was the right decision to make. So has Tom Ince’s decision damaged his career?

Tom Ince hasn’t got the best reputation amongst fans across the country from various incidents in the past and many believe his ego precedes him and he isn’t the only player to have snubbed the England U21’s. Wilfried Zaha was accused of bad attitude two years ago when Stuart Pearce was in charge. Zaha gave the impression it was a chore to be away with England and since then he has struggled to be even considered when it comes to the national team.

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So might it backfire on Ince? The 23-year-old now has a mark next to his name – anyone who turns down England no matter what the level must realise it could be held against them in years to come. Maybe Ince has misplaced his priorities – him and his father have always been careful to make sure Ince Junior gets the right deal even it means upsetting people to get there. Whilst manager at Blackpool, Paul Ince was accused of abandoning his team to help get his son the right move and the opinions of Tom have not changed since then.

Ince is already receiving a “pitchfork” treatment on social media with fans accusing him of having an over inflated ego. Ince Junior believes that his career has stalled and chose to turn down the England team to concentrate on his club football and making sure he gets the right training he needs to be fully prepared for next season. This is admirable in itself because it shows he is trying to make the best for himself but the idea could backfire on him. He is unsure as to where he will be next season and while it makes sense he wants to concentrate on his club surely going and showing his best football playing for England would improve his chances of a good transfer?

It is well known that Hodgson holds national loyalty extremely highly when it comes to picking his team. When he first took over he insisted that every member of the squad would sing the national anthem before the matches. Crouch once turned down the England U21s and Hodgson didn’t pick him for three years after that so it could be a similar situation for Ince?

The winger has certainly put himself at a disadvantage not just with the people who choose the England squad but also with fans. Football fans have good memories and this is not something which is going to be forgotten easily. Boos echoed around the pitch at Molineux last weekend and I suspect it will be the first of many. Fans across the country are not impressed by the national snub. Ince may have dented his career when he thinks he has made the decision to save it.

Interestingly, his father, who told the Daily Mail he thought Tom had made the right decision, was once quoted, “If you get called up, you should make sure you’re there.” Obviously this doesn’t count when it comes to your own child!

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