McClaren urges Bailey to bring Villa form to Jamaica

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Leon Bailey of Jamaica controls the ball during the Concacaf Gold Cup Group C game against El Salvador at BBVA Stadium in Houston, United States, on June 21, 2019. (Photo: AFP)

Reggae Boyz Head Coach Steve McClaren is urging winger Leon Bailey to bring the same form to the national team as he has shown for Aston Villa in the English Premier League, where he has become one of the top players in England’s top division.

Bailey has been recalled to the Reggae Boyz squad for their upcoming Concacaf Nations League fixtures against Cuba and Honduras. The Reggae Boyz will face Cuba on Friday before travelling to play Honduras four days later.

Bailey, 27, has not played for the Reggae Boyz since November 2023 due to a suspension from former Head Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson and a self-imposed break, during which he declined a call-up for Copa America in June. He was one of Villa’s standout players last season, scoring 10 goals and providing nine assists in the Premier League. This helped Villa secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League this season after their strong Premier League finish. However, Bailey’s production for the national side has not been that efficient, as he has scored five goals in 30 appearances for the Reggae Boyz since making his debut in 2019.

McClaren said he was impressed with Bailey’s performance against Arsenal last weekend and hopes to see a similar display for Jamaica in the upcoming matches against Cuba, Honduras, and beyond.

“I went to watch him play against Arsenal last weekend, and I said to him after, ‘How you play for Aston Villa is how you need to play for Jamaica’,” McLaren said. “That is what we want to see. Leon Bailey was great in that game, not just attacking-wise, but defensively, he did his job.”

The Jamaica Football Federation had previously suspended Bailey from the senior men’s national team after he declined a call-up to the Copa America squad. McLaren said Bailey has now assured him of his commitment to the Reggae Boyz.

“I know the history, I know what has happened, so I picked up the phone and spoke to him quite a few times, and we’ve been in touch,” he said. “Look, I want the best players, and I’ve said that from the beginning. The best players that Jamaica can produce, I want in the team.

“He is one of the best players, and we talked about playing for Jamaica. He told me how proud he was from when he was a youth. Since eight years old, he’s been involved in Jamaican football, and he loves his country. That was the first thing he said.”

McClaren, who served as the assistant coach at Manchester United last season, said Bailey understands the pressure and commitment that come with playing not only for his club but also his national team.

“He said that he wants to represent his country, and we understand that there’s a lot of pressure on him from his club and not just from the national team, and we’ve talked about that,” McLaren said.

“He is now a focal figure because all the Under-14 players and the younger players look up to him. I told him, ‘You are the example, you are a role model, and we want you back in the squad. We want you back in the team playing for Jamaica, but only if you are 100 per cent committed to the cause, which is World Cup 2026’.”

Eighteen players from the Copa America squad return with Amari’i Bell, Norman Campbell, Jon Russell and Adrian Reid Jr also making the 23. The squad is expected to arrive in the island next week ahead of their clash against Cuba at the National Stadium next Friday.

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