Ricketts Blasts Morgan’s Reggae Boyz Future
Ex-Jamaica skipper alleged to be surplus to requirements
Michael Ricketts, running for re-election as Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president, has firmly closed the door on former Reggae Boyz skipper Wes Morgan returning to the international set-up.
Ricketts has been surprisingly outspoken and gone on record to claim that Jamaica head coach Theodore Whitmore has “no interest” in the burly veteran defender.
The JFF president, who will be re-elected on 15 September as there are no rivals to challenge his position, didn’t hold back when he spoke to Jamaica’s STAR Sports newspaper about the Leicester City ace.
Ricketts blasted the 2015-16 English Premier League winner: “Based on his age, I think Whitmore has no interest in a 35-year-old who is not constantly playing for his club.”
That comment seems harsh as Morgan has appeared as an unused substitute for Leicester’s opening two Premier League matches this campaign, which both ended in stalemate against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea respectively.
Ricketts added: “I don’t think he has the level of fitness that coach Whitmore would like, and that certainly would be an issue at 35 years old with the World Cup finals only three years away.”
Morgan made his debut for the Boyz against Panama in 2013 and last donned a gold shirt three years ago, making 30 international appearances with his pinnacle reaching the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup final in the United States.
British-born Morgan, who became the inaugural Jamaican to score in the UEFA Champions League, also competed in two Copa America tournaments for the Boyz.
Ricketts explained that English-based 32-year-old Watford defender Adrian Mariappa, absent from this year’s Gold Cup tournament because of injury, is under consideration to tackle the Nations League group games.
The Boyz kick-off against Antigua & Barbuda at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on 6 September, then travel to tackle hosts Guyana on 9 September.
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