Two English Premier League players are thinking about changing teams, and their manager has shared his thoughts.
England might miss out on two promising Premier League players as Scotland looks to bring them over, with talks already underway.
There have been some new names in the latest England squad, like Jobe Bellingham and Josh King. But Scotland’s manager, Sebastien Pocognoli, has shared that he’s working hard to get two English-born players, Archie Gray and Hayden Hackney, to join the Scottish team.
Both Gray and Hackney were born in England but can play for Scotland because of their family ties. Journalist Barry Anderson says discussions have started, and though nothing is decided yet, Pocognoli is keen to bring these young talents into his squad.
He said, “I’m busy with a lot right now, focusing on the team’s performance. But I’m keeping an eye on all players who might represent Scotland someday. These players have to want to make that choice themselves. Our squad is already strong, with lots of good players, including those in the Under-21s, which is important for the future. We’re paying attention to these young talents and managing the situation carefully.”
Archie Gray has strong Scottish roots; his grandfather Frank played for Scotland, and his dad Andy was capped twice. Gray himself has played for England at every youth level, including the Under-21s. Hayden Hackney has a Scottish mother and started with Scotland’s Under-21s before switching to England, where he helped win the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2025.
Scotland has also been interested in Harvey Barnes for some time. Although Barnes has Scottish grandparents, he has already played for England twice, including a friendly earlier this year.
One player Scotland hoped to keep was Elliot Anderson. He played for Scotland’s youth teams but decided to wait on his senior choice. Anderson was called up to the Scotland senior squad in 2023 but pulled out due to injury and has since played for England’s Under-21 team and progressed to the senior side. England’s manager Thomas Tuchel calls him “an elite football player with the right attitude and talent.”
So, while England is building a strong team, Scotland is actively reaching out to players with Scottish ties, trying to strengthen their squad with fresh talent.