represented Japan's Under-16s after being called up in 2013 - despite not knowing the language

For some, playing for England means everything. An honour, a duty, a reward, call it what you will.

Cy Goddard, however, is a 17-year-old youth product of Tottenham Hotspur who disagrees, having pledged his allegiance to Japan after politely declining advances from England scouts.

The half-Japanese, half-English attacking midfielder has grown up admiring the Samurai Blue way while learning his trade at Tottenham, a club that prides itself on nurturing players of flair.

Citizenship in football often sparks debates - as it did with Belgium's Adnan Januzaj - yet for Goddard, who takes Japanese lessons twice a week, it’s as simple a decision as they come.

VIDEO Scroll down to see Cy Goddard trick his way to a shot and score for Japan's U16s

Talent: Cy Goddard, a 17-year-old youth product of Tottenham Hotspur, has chosen Japan over England

FIVE OTHER PLAYERS THAT WERE ONCE ELIGIBLE FOR ENGLAND... Adnan Januzaj (Belgium) Victor Moses (Nigeria) Shola Ameobi (Nigeria) Simone Perrotta (Italy) Lewis Holtby (Germany) Advertisement

‘I have never really wanted to play for England,’ says Goddard, who grew up in south London. ‘Always my mindset was that I wanted to play for Japan. Since I was 10, it's always been an ambition of mine.

‘If they keep progressing as quickly, then they will be better than England and a lot of nations in the future. I think a lot of the boys (in this country's youth system) are also looking elsewhere rather than England.

'A lot of people in the youth system are not really admiring the England team and the English way of playing football. For me, I have always pictured myself playing for Japan.’

So much so that Goddard, when visiting his grandparents near Ohori Park in the Japanese city of Fukuoka, would buy a new Japan kit every year.

Goddard’s father, Steve, is an artist from England but it is his mother, Sawako, who makes him eligible to play for Japan. Despite straying from his father’s profession, the attacking midfielder exhibits a similar creativity in his style of play, which has led to interest from Borussia Dortmund.

In action: Goddard takes Japanese lessons twice a week after training and turned down playing for England

Challenge: Japan suits the creative style of the attacking midfielder more and the starlet rightfully agrees

FIVE CURRENT ENGLAND U21 STARS THAT CAN STILL CHANGE TEAMS Jonathan Bond, Watford (also eligible for Wales) Michael Keane, Burnley, on loan from Man Utd (also eligible for Republic of Ireland) Tyler Blackett, Man Utd (also eligible for Barbados or Jamaica) Nathaniel Chalobah, Burnley, on loan from Chelsea (also eligible for Sierra Leone) Harry Kane, Tottenham (also eligible for Republic of Ireland) Advertisement

In 2013 Goddard made his international debut for Japan's Under-16s at the Montaigu Tournament in France after impressing scouts from the Japanese Football Association that were touring Europe for talent.

They, like Tottenham, were intrigued by Goddard's technical ability, and were in no way deterred by the pint-sized starlet's frame.

Goddard, yet to master the Japanese language, admits being lost in translation was a burden but he found a way around it. Again, creativity was shown.

‘I was nervous. You are thrown into a whole different situation that you haven’t experienced,’ Goddard tells Sportsmail.

‘I’m not the best at speaking Japanese, but I was able to settle in really well. They helped me with tactics, and other things you come to understand as you play.

'You can also understand through hand signals. If I wanted them to pass, I would just say “Yeah” in English.’

It isn’t anything new. Germany’s Miroslav Klose, the World Cup’s all-time top goalscorer, was born in Poland but the striker succumbed to his new land.

Artwork: A fan made this poster for Goddard after his international debut at the 2013 Montaigu Tournament

FIVE WHO OPTED FOR ENGLAND John Barnes (was also eligible for Jamaica, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) Wilfried Zaha (was also eligible for Ivory Coast) Raheem Sterling (was also eligible for Jamaica) Owen Hargreaves (was also eligible for Canada or Wales) Matt Le Tissier (was also eligible for Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland) Advertisement

In England there has been Nigeria’s Victor Moses, who previously represented the Young Lions across four youth levels, and the more recent case of Belgium’s Januzaj.

For now Goddard is simply keen to concentrate on his Tottenham career, hoping a senior contract is in the pipeline, but then what for the tricky two-footed forward?

‘I would like to go out and play in Japan one day,’ continues Goddard. ‘When I went to Japan and saw the crowds, I was impressed.

'They are just so passionate, similar to Italian fans. It is a great environment if you are playing in front of that crowd.

‘One of my ambitions is to represent Japan in a massive tournament, but I think that is a bit too far in the future to think about at the moment.’