West Brom spark FA row by withdrawing Jonathan Leko from England U17 squad
West Brom have risked the wrath of the Football Association by refusing to allow Jonathan Leko to play for England in the European Under-17 Championships.
The 17-year-old, who wowed the Hawthorns on his full debut for the Baggies on Saturday, was supposed to be travelling to Azerbaijan this week ahead of England's opening game against Sweden on Friday.
But head coach Tony Pulis wants him to stay with his squad and play in their remaining two games of the season.
It is a decision which is understood to have disappointed Dan Ashworth, the FA's director of elite development who was previously Albion's technical director.
Leko has been an integral part of Steve Cooper's side in qualification, scoring one and setting up another in their crucial 3-1 win over Turkey.
The FA have to submit their final squad for the tournament tomorrow, but Pulis doesn't believe youth football will prepare the youngster for next season as well as Premier League minutes.
He said: "The kid could be a good player but he needs to learn the game and be put with professional people.
"When I was younger, you got taught by senior pros at an early age, where to be, what to do, how to do it. These kids need it. What they need to do is get out at any early age, learn the game.
"Play league football or play as high as they can as young as they can and get used to playing in an arena, where supporters come to watch their team win.
"When it means something, and the pace of the game working with seasoned professionals. For some reason, a lot of academies want to keep their players at under-21 football.
"It's just beyond me, because I've watched academy football at 21 and it certainly isn't preparation for what's needed out there."
Ashworth was liaising with Richard Garlick, the club's director of football administration, over the weekend.
Garlick said: We feel the experience Jonathan will gain from his involvement will be of even greater benefit to his development and that is the key element for us.
Naturally, Dan would have wanted Jonathan to be involved in Azerbaijan but the opportunity to give young English players experience at this level of club football is something the FA also strongly supports.
