Pohlak says Estonia would welcome Gouram back if Germany move falls through

Estonian Football Association president Aivar Pohlak says Soufian Gouram’s decision to pursue Germany’s youth teams should be respected, although he believes the midfielder would have strengthened Estonia’s senior side. Gouram has chosen Germany over an Estonia call-up, but has yet to make an official appearance for a German national team.

Pohlak said he had dinner with Gouram in Berlin about a month ago, before Germany became an option. Morocco had made an offer, he said, but he would not disclose details of their conversation. “From a football perspective, I had to be sure he knew the rules and understood the consequences of one decision or another,” Pohlak said.

He added that FIFA rules could leave Estonia with a route to call up a player who first represents Germany at U-20 level, if that player does not later feature for Germany’s senior team. Pohlak said Estonia should consider that possibility in similar cases.

Pohlak said he felt both personally and professionally disappointed, describing Gouram as a “very pleasant young man” and saying he would have added a lot to the national team. He hopes Gouram fulfils his ambition of reaching Germany’s senior side, but said he would be sorry if the player missed out on experiencing top-level international football. Estonia would welcome him if he became eligible again, Pohlak said.

He added that the association does not separately try to persuade people with Estonian roots, or the children of non-citizens raised in Estonia, to represent the country. It stays in contact with players and expresses interest when they may be eligible for selection.

Source: soccernet.ee