FORMER interim national head coach, Paul Hall believes that young Reggae Boyz striker Kaheim Dixon is in an ideal environment to continue his development following his move to English League One club Charlton Athletic, and is convinced that with the right attitude he has the potential to become a top-class player.

Hall — who played at several well known clubs in England throughout his career including Portsmouth, Walsall, West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United — however noted that for Dixon to achieve this, he must remain humble and follow his coaches’ instructions.

“He is in a place now where the hard work starts. He is a very young player and I haven’t seen enough of him, but I am excited about what I have seen,” Hall said. “He needs to learn the game as much as he can, take as much advice from the coaches he is working with, and set targets. Hopefully, he can become the player that we all know he can be,” Hall told the Jamaica Observer.

“There are a lot of talents on the island and he is just another one that has come through. Hopefully, he can make a big name for himself but he must set targets for himself and he has got to be humble — which I know he is,” Hall emphasised.

Dixon, who turns 20 next month, made his debut for the Reggae Boyz in March of this year during the Concacaf Nations League semi-finals against the United States. So far, he has scored two goals in his 10 appearances for the national senior team.

Dixon, who signed with London-based Charlton Athletic last month, led Clarendon College to back-to-back ISSA daCosta Cup titles before scoring four goals in eight appearances for Arnett Gardens in the Jamaica Premier League last season.

Born in the United Kingdom, Hall was a member of the Reggae Boyz team that participated in the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, where he started in all three of the nation’s matches. In total he made 48 appearances for the national side, while scoring 14 goals, and served as interim coach of the Reggae Boyz from 2021 to 2022.

The 52-year-old highlighted that Charlton Athletic are well known for developing players, which is why many of the biggest clubs in England send their young players there on loan to further their talent. He pointed out that Dixon is in the perfect environment to develop his skills before moving to a larger club in Europe.

“Charlton is a good starting point for him because it is a League One club with good coaches and a strong record of producing players. He is in a league where he stands a chance of playing,” Hall said. “In the Championship, players tend to be a bit older to get into the team but League One is a great breeding ground for young footballers like him.

“A lot of players go out on loan to League One teams from clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Manchester United. If he can have the ambition and get into that League One set-up he is definitely in a breeding ground for growth,” Hall added.

Meanwhile, Lenworth “Teacha” Hyde, who coached Dixon throughout his high school career at Clarendon College, believes that once Dixon improves the physical aspects of the game, he can expect to move to a much bigger club in the future.

“He is very humble, disciplined, and works very hard. He wants to succeed in his footballing career so he will do everything right to get there,” Hyde said.

“He is a very good player on the ball but I want him to get stronger and adjust to the pace of the English league. Within a year you will see changes in him. He is already quick but he just needs to get stronger, and I expect him to move up to a much bigger league within a year.”

Dixon, who is currently in Charlton Athletic’s Under-21 set-up, scored a goal and registered an assist on debut against Watford FC Under-21 in a 3-2 victory last Friday.