Arsenal legend, Ian Wright has commended Tariq Lamptey for his decision to represent Ghana at an early stage in his career.
Lamptey, born in England to Ghanaian parents, initially played for England’s youth teams but made the choice to switch allegiance to Ghana in September 2022.
Recently, there has been growing concern among former African football stars about players born abroad who only seem to choose their ancestral countries when their chances with their adopted nations diminish.
This has sparked frustration, as it appears some treat their countries of origin as backup options.
Tariq Lamptey, however, is seen as an exception to this trend, having committed to Ghana at just 22 years old.
“You look at Tariq Lamptey, and he’s a fantastic player, a fantastic right back. Maybe he’s seeing his path to England is blocked,” Wright said on PL Stories.
“For me, I think that when you look at the player who kept him out of Chelsea, Reece James, and how good he is, you can understand why Lamptey might seek opportunities elsewhere.
“When you look at what Tariq has done…, he is someone who should be on that stage. If he can get that from Ghana, then he should take it.
“I think we’re probably going to see more of this trend, as me and Mikel were just saying. If you’re good enough, you shouldn’t be held back or waiting,” he added.
Since joining the Black Stars, Lamptey has earned eight caps and featured in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
He is also expected to play a key role in Ghana’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Angola and Niger.