Di’Shon Bernard and Jamaica kick-started a busy summer of football with a CONCACAF World Cup qualifier vs Dominican Republic on Thursday.
Jamaica hosted the Dominican Republic at Independence Park in Kingston on Thursday, in what is the first of several games coming up for Bernard and the Reggae Boys this summer.
Jamaica won the game 1-0 and play a second leg against Dominican Republic on Sunday, before kickstarting their Copa America campaign.
Di’Shon Bernard’s nation are in Group B alongside Ecuador, Mexico, and Venezuela, with their first game being against Mexico on June 23rd.
So Jamaica and Icelandic boss Heimir Hallgrimsson will use these games against the Dominican Republic as a bit of a warm up for their Copa America campaign.
And Bernard may also use this summer’s international fixtures as a chance to put himself in the shop window, with his Sheffield Wednesday contract expiring at the end of this month.
How Sheffield Wednesday ace Di’Shon Bernard fared against Dominican Republic
Jamaica won the game 1-0 thanks to a first half goal from Clermont’s Shamar Nicholson.
The Jamaica Observer gave Bernard a 6.5/10 rating, adding that Bernard ‘wasn’t under much pressure from Dominican Republic but, like his defensive teammates, was fine when needed to be’.
Per Sofascore, Bernard made 6 defensive actions in the game (joint-second most of any Jamaica player), with 2 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 clearance, and 1 block.
Bernard though had the most touches of anyone on the pitch (71), also making 15 more accurate passes than anyone (52 total with an 85% accuracy).
The former Manchester United man also completed 5/11 long balls, winning 3/5 duels too.
Can Sheffield Wednesday keep Di’Shon Bernard this summer
After his impressive 2023/24 campaign, and given the fact that there’s reported interest in the 23-year-old, keeping him in S6 still seems quite unlikely.
And if he can showcase his qualities as a very well-rounded defender on the international stage this summer then he’ll only attract more suitors.
The way Jamaica plays appears to get Bernard on the ball quite a lot, perhaps more so than when he plays for Sheffield Wednesday.
And the passing stats against Dominican Republic, albeit a weaker opposition, showcased Bernard’s ability to pass out from the back.
That, and his ability to win battles on the ground and in the air, and to take the ball forward too, makes him a very complete defender with huge potential.
It could be that Bernard secures a very good move this summer, likely to a club at the top-end of the Championship or to a top league in Europe.
Either way, it looks like a very exciting summer for Bernard and Jamaica.
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