FA coaches scout new Chicharito to represent England

EPL: Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez – Manchester United (Getty Images)

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England coaches have been alerted to a Mexican forward who they hope could become the nation’s version of Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez.

Antonio Michael Pedroza Whitham, who plays for Jaguares de Chiapas in the Mexican Premier League, qualifies to represent England as his mother is English and he was born in Chester.

He has come under the scrutiny of FA officials after English scouts started planning for this summer’s Under-20 World Cup and Pedroza admits he would be open to representing his birth country.

“My dad is Mexican, my mother, English. I was born in England, but I came to Mexico when I was a boy. I feel very Mexican,” he told The Daily Mail.

“I would be happy for this opportunity, I would have never expected to be considered to represent England’s Under 20s.

“I love Mexico for the time I have spent here, but if I don’t have an opportunity to represent Mexico I would accept the opportunity to play for England.”

The talented 20-year-old shares a number of attributes to Red Devils star Chicharito, with quick feet and aerial prowess.

The striker has been on trial at English giants Arsenal and Chelsea and is reportedly attracting the interest of Fulham and Italian side Roma.

On the pitch the forward has impressed recently, scoring an injury-time equaliser in his side’s Copa Libertadores quarter-final first leg match against Paraguayan side Cerro Porteno last week.

After scoring his first two Copa Libertadores goals in a match in January, the confident forward went onto make a bold claim.

“These goals have given me encouragement to pursue a dream, to play for the national team or play in Europe.’ Now that dream is looking more like a reality,” he exclaimed.