Yet to be capped for France despite playing for their U21s seven times, Giannelli Imbula was invited to play for DR Congo this international break by Constant Omari, the country’s FA president.
Despite being eligible to represent the Central African country, the Stoke midfielder, currently on loan for the season at Toulouse in France, decided to turn down the invite.
This isn’t the first time DR Congo have tried to convince the 25-year-old to represent them, doing so in 2012 and 2015, each time getting the same answer as this time around.
According to France Football, the Potters’ flop ‘isn’t thrilled’ at the idea of playing for ‘his country of origin’.
Also eligible to play for Belgium, Imbula appears to be holding out for either Roberto Martinez or Didier Deschamps to give him a call.
When asked about it, Omari admitted defeat.
He said: “He doesn’t want to come, we won’t force him. I’m not here to run after him. It’s not the first time he’s refused. You play for your country if you’re motivated. Imbula is maybe waiting for Deschamps to call him. It’s his right. Me, I give up”.
Looking at the competition for a spot in the France squad, the Stoke loanee might be waiting a while.
