West Ham defender Angelo Ogbonna says he is holding out some hope that he could be selected for the World Cup by Italian manager Gian Piero Ventura.
The 29 year old worked with Ventura at Torino but has not been selected for the national team since last October; for the World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Macedonia.
Speaking to Italian TV station Premium Sport (quotes via Calciomercato.com), the centre back says he is going to make it hard for Ventura not to select him, by performing well for the Hammers:
“The national [team] is a personal goal, honestly yes, especially now that we are approaching the World Cup, in all games I support my team mates and even now when I do not hear from Ventura, I do not know whether he has me in mind or not. I’m doing everything to make it difficult [for him]. I’ve had him at Torino, he’s a good boss.”
Ogbonna missed the second half of last season with a serious knee injury, but has made just three Premier League appearances this campaign, coming in the 4-0 defeat to Manchester United on the opening day, the 3-0 loss to Newcastle and the 3-2 defeat to Tottenham at the London Stadium in late September.
The Italian has however played all three rounds in the Carabao Cup, and scored the crucial winning goal for West Ham against Spurs on Wednesday night.
