Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has implied that his Ghanaian defender Mohammed Salisu’s decision to play for the Black Stars after they qualified to the 2022 World Cup without him would look opportunistic.
The Austrian coach fears the persistent chasing of the centre-back by Ghana football authorities with the player refusing to honour the invitation could complicate the case of the defender born and raised in the West African country.
Hasenhuttl has revealed that he has also been engaged in talks with Salisu over him playing for Ghana without revealing the details of the centre of their talks over the Black Stars.
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The Southampton boss was opening up for the first time about his talks with the Ghanaian defender about the possibility of playing for the national team on his country.
Salisu has turned down numerous invitations to represent Ghana internationally which has been the centre of public discussions with the country divided whether he should be invited after the country qualified for the global tournament.
Ghana interim coach Otto Addo recently revealed that he has had good talks with Salisu and has assurances that the highly-rated central defender will soon play for the Black Stars.
Ghana qualified for the 2022 World Cup last week after eliminating regional rivals Nigeria in a two-legged encounter.
The Black Stars are drawn in Group H alongside European giants Portugal, former World Cup winners Uruguay and South Korea.
Southampton boss Hasenhüttl has joined the conversation though he maintains that the right to represent Ghana remains the player’s decision.
“It is an interesting question , and we are always talking about it,” Hasenhuttl told Hampshirelive.
“I don’t know whether it changes now, but I think it doesn’t help because the team made it to the World Cup and they deserve to play there, and he was not part of it.
“But what happens in the future, I don’t know, it is his decision.”
The 22-year-old has been in devastating form for the Saints in the Premier League this season, making 30 appearances.
Salisu has the highest number of interceptions than any other player in the English top-flight this campaign.
