England's Premier Eleven Footballers with Jamaican Lineage
In the world of football, England's national team has a surprising connection to the Caribbean island of Jamaica. Many players with Jamaican heritage have donned the Three Lions, and some are even considering representing the Reggae Boyz.
One of the most notable players with Jamaican roots is Viv Anderson, a centre back who played for England. His parents were immigrants from Jamaica, and he's not alone in this regard. Players such as Raheem Sterling, a winger for England, and Luther Blissett, a striker who holds the records for both goals and appearances at Watford, were born in Kingston, Jamaica.
Some players, like Adrian Mariappa, a stalwart for Watford, and Ravel Morrison, a former Manchester United and West Ham playmaker, have chosen to represent Jamaica over England. Mason Greenwood and Omari Hutchinson, current England internationals, are eligible to play for Jamaica, with Greenwood having officially obtained Jamaican citizenship and a passport.
The list of England internationals with Jamaican heritage doesn't end there. Sol Campbell, another centre back, Ashley Young, Theo Walcott, Andros Townsend, Daniel Sturridge, Chris Smalling, Aaron Lennon, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mark Chamberlain, Fraizer Campbell, and Darren Bent all have Jamaican ancestry. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, a midfielder for England, also has Jamaican roots.
The influence of Jamaica on English football isn't limited to the players. Barnes coached the Jamaica national team, and Kyle Walker, a defender for Manchester City, was born to a Jamaican father. David James, a goalkeeper who played for England, is the son of a Jamaican artist and visited Jamaica as an infant. Laurie Cunningham, a winger, had Jamaican heritage and played for West Bromwich Albion and Real Madrid.
Danny Rose, a left back for England, has links to Jamaica through his grandfather. Gareth Southgate, the England manager, selected five players in the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals squad who have a grandparent from Jamaica: Sterling, Walker, Young, Loftus-Cheek, and Rose.
The Caribbean influence on UK sport is increasingly evident, with Jamaica playing a significant role in shaping England's football team. As more players with Jamaican heritage rise through the ranks, this connection is likely to strengthen even further.
- A blog discussing sports might feature an article on the growing number of English football players with Jamaican roots, such as Raheem Sterling, Luther Blissett, Adrian Mariappa, Ravel Morrison, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
- Viv Anderson, a centre back who played for England, shares a casino with Mason Greenwood and Omari Hutchinson - all current England internationals who are eligible to play for Jamaica, with Greenwood having already obtained Jamaican citizenship and a passport.
