Lee Carsley confirmed that England Under 21s had hoped to call on Crystal Palace's Michael Olise before the winger chose to continue his international career with France.
Olise, born in London, is set for an Under-21 debut with France next week after impressing for Patrick Vieira's side during his first Premier League season.
The 20-year-old has earned international honours for France's other age group teams but England had made it known they were interested in Olise switching allegiances.
'You cannot force anyone and I try to stay away from capping someone just to stop them doing something else,' Carsley said.