Five Premier League players Steve McClaren could persuade to play for Jamaica

Steve McClaren has been appointed as the new head coach of Jamaica with the former England boss signing a two-year deal.

McClaren, who had been working as an assistant at Manchester United, believes the role is ‘ideally suited’ to him at this stage of his career.

“I am extremely proud and excited to take up the position of head coach for the Jamaica men’s national team. I had no hesitation in accepting a position that is ideally suited to me at this stage of my career,” he said.

“Prior to returning to Manchester United for a second spell, I spent time at Fifa as a technical adviser on their global eco analysis project. Jamaica was one of the teams I worked with and I quickly came to realise the potential the country possessed.”

Jamaica has made efforts to snap up the best talent possible in recent years, targeting English-born options eligible for the Reggae Boyz. As McClaren looks to build towards 2026 World Cup qualification, we’ve looked at five players he could look to include in his plans.

Max Aarons (Bournemouth)

Just a handful of players have earned more caps for England at u-21 level than Max Aarons, who represented the Young Lions on 27 occasions and won the European Championship under Lee Carsley in 2023.

A senior breakthrough has not been forthcoming, however, with right-back arguably England’s greatest position of depth. Even as Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier come towards the end, Aarons will still face competition from Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James and the emerging Rico Lewis and Tino Livramento for the right-back role.

The Reggae Boyz could offer Aarons a route to international football. He previously said his ‘full focus’ was on England but could be open to an invitation from McClaren.

Rico Henry (Brentford)

England are hardly blessed with an abundance of talented left-backs and Rico Henry might just have found himself in international contention but for a season-ending knee injury in 2023-24.

The Brentford defender has been excellent since the Bees were promoted to the Premier League and has certainly been on the radar of the Three Lions staff. Henry might want to see how England’s next managerial appointment unfolds before making a decision on his international future.

The Reggae Boyz would love to have him ahead of their push for the 2026 World Cup.

Dwight McNeil (Everton)

Dwight McNeil’s heritage leaves the door open to a potential call-up to the Jamaican side. Sean Dyche backed McNeil for England honours after his emergence at Burnley, before the duo reunited with success at Everton.

The 24-year-old was named Everton’s Young Player of the Season in 2022-23 after scoring seven Premier League goals, before matching his career-best return of six league assists last season.

McNeil’s lovely left foot and set-piece delivery could be a real asset to The Reggae Boyz if Jamaica can persuade the winger to represent them.

Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest)

Morgan Gibbs-White was one of the most unfortunate omissions from the England provisional squad for Euro 2024, with the uncapped midfielder outstanding across two seasons at Nottingham Forest.

Gibbs-White earned the club’s Player of the Season gong in 2022-23 before producing 10 assists last term to help Forest survive the drop. Just two players created more goals than Gibbs-White in the Premier League last season and he has the quality to operate at international level.

A winner of the 2017 u-17 World Cup and 2023 u-21 European Championship with England, a lack of recognition this season could tempt the talented 24-year-old to change his allegiances.

Cameron Archer (Aston Villa)

Cameron Archer won the 2023 u-21 European Championship alongside Aarons and Gibbs-White with England and boasts a brilliant record for the Young Lions with six goals in 11 caps.

The 22-year-old failed to make his mark on the Premier League last term with just four goals for a Sheffield United side relegated in miserable fashion, but Archer is a player of promise and has returned to Aston Villa this summer.

He is eligible to represent Jamaica through his mother, while former Aston Villa boss Dean Smith suggested the forward could also play for Wales. There could be a competitive battle for his services, with Archer a potential long-term replacement for Michail Antonio with The Reggae Boyz.

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