First of all, this debate between Jamie O'Hara and Jason Cundy was based upon something which cannot happen. Evan Ferguson was eligible to play for England through his English mother, but as he has played more than three times for Ireland - Ferguson has six caps - he can no longer switch. Not that he would have, anyway.
Still, there was a measure of entertainment to the exchange between the pair on Talksport.
'Evan Ferguson is 100 per cent Irish beef'
"That's a terrible question," replied Cundy when asked by his fellow former Spurs player O'Hara if England manager Gareth Southgate should give Ferguson a call.
"Can you imagine that? If Gareth Southgate phones him up and says 'You're going to be playing in the Euros next year. I want you alongside Harry Kane'. He can't do it."
O'Hara suggested that switching allegiance to England would give Ferguson a chance to play at a major tournament finals, ignoring that Ireland have qualified for two European Championships in the last 11 years.
19 June 2023; Evan Ferguson of Republic of Ireland celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 Championship qualifying group B match between Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
"With him up top, they might," said Cundy.
"He might be the one that can carry them. We've seen players do it in the past, carry weaker teams to tournaments.
"Gareth Bale for Wales. Without Gareth Bale, Wales aren't getting to their first World Cup. They're not doing it. They're simply not. Evan Ferguson might be able to do that."
But, switching to England would mean that Ferguson could win a World Cup or European Championships, said O'Hara.
"Nobody has won anything for England since '66!" replied a bemused Cundy.
"What makes you think he's going to be the difference?
"No doubt this boy has got a huge future ahead of him, but he's Irish. He can't do that.
"He's not doing that for England, mate, I don't see it. I don't see the arrogance that Southgate and the FA would have to phone him up."
O'Hara responded that England had previously convinced Jack Grealish and Declan Rice to switch allegiance after they had represented Ireland at international level.
"I know, but they're not really Irish, are they?" said Cundy.
"They're not Irish mate, those boys are English. Have you heard them both speak? Jack Grealish, you couldn't get more Brummy. Declan is a south [Londoner].
"[Evan Ferguson] is Irish. He's 100 per cent Irish beef. Ìn his head, he must be."
"He's Irish he can't do it Jamie!" 😲
"He's 100% Irish beef!" 😤
"Although if he did I would support him!" 🤣
Jason Cundy is baffled by the idea of Evan Ferguson switching from Republic of Ireland to England 🤨 pic.twitter.com/uaUdA7iVmZ
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) September 7, 2023
See Also: Richie Sadlier's RTÉ Comments Perfectly Sum Up Why Stephen Kenny Era Is Unravelling
