Advertisement

George Baldock confirms ambition to represent Greece: 'I’d never turn it down'

George Baldock in action against Southampton's Danny Ings - AFP
George Baldock in action against Southampton's Danny Ings - AFP

George Baldock has confirmed his desire to play for Greece following his impressive ever-present first season in the Premier League with Sheffield United.

The right-back was first targeted by Greece in January and is now completing the paperwork to represent the country of his grandmother’s birth.

Playing international football would complete a remarkable rise for Baldock, who was playing non-League football on loan at Tamworth just eight years ago.

Speaking on a video call from one of the Greek islands, where he was on holiday with his girlfriend, Baldock said: “I’d love to play international football, it would be a proud moment for my family and for myself to represent Greece.

“My grandmother, who has passed away, was 100 per cent Greek, which made my dad half and me a quarter. I think I’m eligible and it would be amazing, a real proud moment, if it could happen. I’m hoping the paperwork can be signed off and it would be brilliant. I’d never turn it down.”

Baldock has always felt a connection to Greece through his family and remembers his father celebrating the country’s shock 2004 European Championship success.

“I’ve been to Greece loads, I am on one of the islands at the moment with my girlfriend having a nice chilled holiday,” the 27-year-old said. “I’ve been over to Greece as a child and my nan was really proud of her background. I want to play international football and it would be a great honour to represent Greece.

“I remember Greece winning the Euros really fondly, I remember my dad jumping up and down in the kitchen. It was 2004, so I must have been 11. It was brilliant. It really put the Greek football team on the map.

“It was quite similar to what we’ve got at Sheffield United in terms of the spirit. From a few years ago playing in League Two, playing in the Conference, to playing international football would be fantastic.”

Just as Greece upset the international odds 16 years ago, Sheffield United and Baldock exceeded all expectations in their first season in the Premier League as they finished ninth, 20 points clear of relegation.

Sheffield United's David McGoldrick celebrates scoring his side's third goal with teammates during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Chelsea - CameraSport
Sheffield United's David McGoldrick celebrates scoring his side's third goal with teammates during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Chelsea - CameraSport

And Baldock, who played every minute of every Premier League game for the club, believes they could have done even better if the coronavirus lockdown had not prompted two big changes.

“I’m still convinced that if the fans were in the stadium, we would have made a bigger push for Europe, definitely,” he said. “They are our 12th man and they do push us over the line a lot of the time. But it was an equal playing ground for everyone, so it’s not an excuse.”

While fans are unlikely to be back for the new season that starts on Sept 12, another factor that undoubtedly disadvantaged United will be back to normal after clubs voted a return to three substitutes from five.

“I do think the five subs were a massive advantage to the big clubs,” Baldock said. “When you see the likes of Manchester City’s squad, Chelsea’s squad, Tottenham Hotspur’s and when you see the subs they were bringing on, it showed the resources the biggest clubs have.

“It’s always been three subs and I think that’s probably the fairest way across the division. It is what it is, there are no excuses, but the five subs played into the hands of the bigger clubs. I’m a defender, so when you’ve got clubs sending on world-class attackers, of course you want it to go back to three.”

One world-class opponent Baldock is looking forward to meeting again is Liverpool forward Sadio Mane, even though the Senegal international was a “nightmare” to face.

“I always say the toughest opponent by far was Sadio Mane,” Baldock said. “If he’s not running at you with the ball then he’s running in behind you without it. He’s coming short, going long, making diagonal runs. He’s always looking to get behind you and that’s a nightmare for you.

“Sometimes when wingers want the ball to feet, it can be slightly easier, but he’s just a world-class player and by far the best I’ve played against. I want to play against him again, 100 per cent, and have another go, I relish playing against the best players and I want to play at this level for the rest of my career.”