There was actually quite the healthy debate on the national airwaves when Aki became eligible to play, not a personal attack but a heavy criticism from the public and ex-players of the 3 year rule.
Naturally this is all forgotten now.
What we would give for a young English footballer of above average talent to decide play for us. There was such ridiculous hype around Grealish a few years ago and now they are building up young Rice at West Ham to be the future.