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Gordon backs midfielder Phillips
September 06, 2023
National assistant coach Merron Gordon says midfielder Demario Phillips, who was drafted into the Reggae Boyz squad as a replacement for the injured forward Cory Burke, is bursting with potential.
However, he thinks that going overseas in a more competitive and professional environment will aid his development.
Phillips, Javain Brown and Romario Williams were brought into the squad to replace Burke, Dexter Lembikisa and striker Michail Antonio.
The 24 year old Mount Pleasant player, who has been one of the stars of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) for the past two seasons, has achieved all he can at the local level, Gordon said, and taking the next step would greatly enhance his national team ambitions.
"Demario is so talented I don't think I know which position is best for him. But I think he is one of those players that it is best for him to go somewhere else in the world so he can further develop.
"Our league is good but I don't think it challenges some of the players enough. So as soon as you find the young talent that want to really be a part of the national team, it is good for them to go somewhere to play professionally so they can be in a more competitive environment. That is how you grow as a young player because it is easy to get complacent here," he said.
Gordon said he expects the former Clarendon College player to continue to improve his game while still at Mount Pleasant, and hopes that the club can get him a move abroad soon.
"He has won the daCosta Cup and he has won the JPL. So he definitely needs a new challenge.
"He is in a very good programme at Mount Pleasant and I know they will continue to help him develop and, hopefully, they can get him abroad soon," Gordon added.
Phillips is one of two local players in the Reggae Boyz squad to face Honduras and Haiti in the Concacaf Nations League on Friday and next Tuesday, respectively. The other local player is Dujuan Richards.
