The Algerian star Nabil Bentaleb, midfielder for French team Lille, revealed that the England national team attempted to recruit him before he chose to play for Algeria in 2014.

Bentaleb disclosed in a press statement that there were English attempts to include him in the England national team when he was playing with Tottenham Hotspur.

The player stated: "My choice to play for Algeria was a decision I did not think twice about. When the Algerian Football Federation contacted me, I was at Tottenham, despite what my coach and club president Daniel Levy did when they asked me to hold off on my decision because England's coach Roy Hodgson was following me and wanted to include me for Euro 2016."

It is worth noting that Bentaleb, who has recently returned to the pitch after a long absence due to a health issue, has participated with the Algerian national team in 52 international matches so far.