#michailantoniojamaica

[dualnationalenglishfootballers]

DEMARAI GRAY - (Winger, Bayer Leverkusen, 24), eligible for England and Jamaica

TOSSUP:

- In early March, the Daily Mail revealed that the Jamaican Football Federation chief Michael Ricketts had announced that 16 English players with Jamaican heritage “are in the process of applying for” a Jamaican passport in order to play for Jamaica: Michael Antonio, Nathan Redmond, Ethan Pinnock, Amarai’i Bell, Mason Holgate, Kemar Roofe, Curtis Tilt, Ivan Toney, Max Aarons, Demarai Gray, Kasey Palmer, Isaac Hayden, Rolando Aarons, Andre Grey, Liam Moore, and Jamal Lowe.

- Although often unreliable, the Daily Mail has proven largely correct, with 7 of these English-born players called up to the next Jamaican match for the first time: Ethan Pinnock, Andre Gray, Kasey Palmer, Curtis Tilt, Amarai’i Bell, Liam Moore, and Jamal Lowe. Michail Antonio also announced his decision to play for Jamaica, and Kemar Roofe and Issac Hayden also have said they will be getting a Jamaican passport too, meaning at least 9 of these 16 have committed to Jamaica.

- However, two of these players listed, Max Aarons and Nathan Redmond, have since announced that they have never been contacted by Jamaica. Max Aarons said that he is committed to England. Ivan Toney is also said to be unlikely to accept a Jamaica call up. This suggests the Jamaican FA’s claims are not entirely true. 

- Whether Demarai Gray will indeed be switching to Jamaica or following the path of Aarons, Redmond and Toney is unknown. The Daily Mail stated in the same article that Gray would likely not switch to Jamaica as he still has hopes of getting another England call up. Gray has not said anything himself.

- At 24, its likely he can get called up again. Gray has been called up to England before, in 2018.

- He also played for England at youth level, including 26 times for the U21s. He has only represented England at youth level. Having said that, Liam Moore and Kasey Palmer both played for the U21s but committed to Jamaica. 

Sources:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9321995/Jamaica-plot-call-10-English-stars-including-Michail-Antonio-Demarai-Gray-Aarons.html

https://www.hampshirelive.news/sport/football/football-news/southampton-star-nathan-redmond-line-5069118

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12248691/michail-antonio-west-ham-striker-chooses-jamaica-over-england

https://onefootball.com/en/news/norwich-fullback-aarons-brentfords-toney-reject-jamaica-approach-32512624

https://www.pinkun.com/sport/norwich-city/max-aarons-to-reject-jamaica-national-team-7805366

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/19188518.nathan-redmond-gives-take-jamaica-call-up-reports/