'I truly do think I'm ready': Jaden Umeh keen to make Ireland senior debut

Similarities between the two Umeh brothers playing in the same position with the same style were inevitable growing up in Ringmahon until the distinctive jersey on one was noticed.

“We always had Ireland jerseys with our names on the back,” recalls Jaden, three years and two months younger than Franco.

“Mine had a J in front of the surname, whereas Franco had just Umeh because he's the older brother. He deserves it.”

Circumstances, specifically Franco’s hamstring problems since joining Portsmouth for €500,000, have allowed his 18-year-old sibling leapfrog him for international recognition.

Should he, as expected, be granted his debut, either tomorrow against Qatar, or in Canada on Friday week, on the back of Jaden’s jersey will simply be Umeh.

Heimir Hallgrímsson has been tracking the Ringmahon Rangers graduates, aware their explosive pace and trickery present a threat unlike most of their rivals for the wide attacking spots.

Benfica’s Jaden has got there first but the notion of joining the O’Learys, Hunts, Quinns and O’Flanagans in the brotherly stakes enthuses the sons of Catherine and Jerry.

“Anything is possible at this time and that's definitely one of our dreams,” he said about them appearing in the same team.

“It's a dream for our family as well. I'd love for my mum and dad to see that - it would be something special.”

Hype around Jaden has cranked up since his gallery of goals for Benfica’s underage teams aroused a global audience via YouTube.

That José Mourinho fast-tracked him into the first team and was seen chatting to the Leesider in training deepened the attention.

“In that clip, he was actually asking if my Portuguese was good,” revealed the teenager.

“I was laughing and saying, ‘it's alright’. Even in the training session, he was talking to me a couple more times.

“He liked to watch academy games and reward players by promoting them, some for their first-team debut.

“He's one of the best managers in the world so to have him give me the advice that I need was really good.” In similar fashion to Mourinho departing for a second spell at Real Madrid, players can endure a change to trajectory in an instant.

Franco’s absence since his cameo against Arsenal, on just his second outing for Pompey after moving from Crystal Palace, is a reminder of the perils of presuming an uninterrupted route to the top.

“Injuries can come out of nowhere when you don’t expect it,” stresses Jaden.

“But when it happens. it is about picking up where you left off, being a better player than you were before the injury. That just gives you motivation, to be honest.”

He’ll likely be working under current Fulham boss Marco Silva when he returns to Benfica’s Lisbon base for next pre-season.

Until then, the sole manager he has to impress is an Icelander willing to unleash him as rehearsal for the Uefa Nations League campaign kicking off in Kosovo on September 24.

“I like 1v1s,” he said when invited to outline his repertoire. “I'm quick - or that's what people say anyway - I like to perform skills, win my aerial duels, assist and score goals.

“Just like a modern-day winger, really. I do feel ready for this senior level.

“First of all, my mindset is in the right position right now. And, physicality. I truly do think I'm ready.

“With Benfica, training with the first team or even with the B team who play in a professional league as well, I've found it an easy transition.

“I’ve developed so much from a young Cork guy going to a new country at 16 to live alone. I wasn’t going over just for a holiday.

“Thursday will hopefully be my first time playing at Lansdowne Road. I’ve been there, but only to watch.” He’ll leave the tunnel area behind a player whose jersey he walked by after every training session in Mahon.

Caoimhín Kelleher is revered at Ringmahon, not alone for the millions he’s generated, but as a trailblazer for wannabe players in his wake.

“Growing up, Caoimhín was the talk of Cork,” he continued. "To be here with them is definitely something special. I'm grateful for this opportunity.

"It's just a great honour to be playing with him. I would say he’s a Ringmahon legend at this point.

“Every kid wants to be like him so for me to be training with him is something special.”