Whisper to Chelsea a done deal
Published:Sunday | June 25, 2023 | 1:45 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
WHILE THE focus of Jamaican international Dujuan Richards will be on the Gold Cup, his club future, which was determined earlier this year, was confirmed by his new home yesterday.
Richards signed a pre-contract with Premier League giants Chelsea in March but the club announced the completion of the move yesterday on their social media pages to the team next season following his 18th birthday.
In March, his agent Craig Butler said that Chelsea presented the best offer for him and the best pathway for his future success.
“Chelsea were not just better from a financial perspective, but also in terms of his football pathway and the plan for the player,” Butler said in a Gleaner interview on March 13.
“He will be in the first team and that is very important to me. If he is to go on loan I will be integral in the decision as to where he goes. But Chelsea are looking to put him in their first team and they have provided a plan and that plan really fits ‘Whisper’ going forward.
MANNING CUP PLAYER OF THE SEASON
After a 2022 Manning Cup season in which he grabbed player-of-the-season honours, the year 2023 saw him make his international debut against Trinidad and Tobago.
Richards was named to a pre-Concacaf Gold Cup camp for friendlies against Qatar and Jordan and was named last Monday to the Gold Cup final squad.
Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said his inclusion was not just about him being an impact player for the future but also for the present.
“When you have a squad for a tournament there are always going to be a few players that would not get a lot of playing time. And we would rather have those players young so that they will gain experience, and he is one of these guys,” Hallgrimsson said.
“He has quality in his armoury that is way beyond a 17-year-old. You never know with a 17-year-old where their career will go but at this stage, we believe that he can go all the way and be one of the best players for Jamaica in the future.”
Jamaica began their Gold Cup campaign yesterday against reigning champions the United States and will face St Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago to close out group play.