“Chops, stuffed cabbage and dumplings” – Aston Villa player’s parents on background to national team decision

Matty Cash has been a regular figure for Aston Villa since he arrived at Villa Park from Nottingham Forest in 2020.

The right-back’s performances for the Villans helped him make his debut for Poland in 2021 and he’s made it Czesław Michniewicz’s squad for the World Cup.

Cash, who was born in England, was eligible to represent the Three Lions before he confirmed his allegiance to Poland. The Aston Villa player is of Polish descent through his mother, and this allowed him to apply for Polish citizenship last year.

Przeglądu Sportowego Onet have had a detailed chat with the fullback’s parents, Stuart and Barbara, over various topics about their son.

Matty’s father has now revealed his son was aware from a young age that there was a possibility to play for Poland. He made this claim when  asked when the 25-year-old made a decision to represent them.

“In fact, this topic has always run in our family. From a young age, Matty was aware that he could represent Poland,” Stuart said.

“Of course, initially these were not serious talks, such conversations only appeared when my son began to present a sufficiently high level of football. He once told me: ‘Dad, I would really like to play for Poland. I see myself in this team’.”

On the same topic, his mother said: “Matty loves Poland, loves Polish food. He spent a lot of time with my parents, who are Polish. He was very close to them. When the boys were little and Hannah was born, I took care of my parents’ house, so we were there a lot. Matty ate Polish food, like chops, stuffed cabbage and dumplings. In a word: he moved in the Polish environment. I have very fond memories of that period.”

Cash Sr has also dismissed the suggestion the Aston Villa man picked Poland after failing to make it to the England squad.

“That is not true. I know that Garth Southgate has watched him and talked to him. He told him that he had him in his sights and that he should continue playing as much as possible. But it would be clear: It cannot be said that Matty chose between England and Poland and chose Poland,” Stuart explained.

“There was no such situation. Just one day he got an offer from the Polish federation and decided to take it. When such an offer came, Matty kept repeating he was really ready for such a step.”

Unai Emery’s man does not speak Polish and this factor left his father worried when the player joined the national team camp.

“It wasn’t a problem for me at all (Matty picking Poland over England). Looking at a football career, it lasts – if it goes well – fourteen, fifteen years. You have to use as much of it as possible,” Matty’s father stressed.

“If you get a chance to play at the international level, play in the World Cup or European championships, take advantage of it. I wasn’t worried that my son was closing his way to the England national team.

“My only concern was whether he would manage without knowing the language, playing for a country he had never been to. I know you’ve had similar examples in your squad before, and as far as I know, it didn’t turn out well. So as a father, I was only worried about these things. But on the other hand, I felt that with his character he would have no trouble acclimatising.”