Whisper omission no accident

Odile Richards, the father and new manager of Jamaican international Dujuan ‘Whisper’ Richards, says the player is beginning to feel like his old self again following his debut for AFC Wimbledon in the English league at the weekend.

However, he noted that the player’s omission from the Reggae Boyz squad for the upcoming Nations League matches was a calculated decision by both the player and his management team to step away temporarily from international football while rebuilding his form and confidence.

The elder Richards described the debut as a very positive experience, saying that the player has not felt this good since his schoolboy football days in 2022.

“The debut was a very good one. It was his first time playing since April, and it meant a lot to him.

“In his exact words, the feeling that he got was the same feeling he had while playing for Kingston College, and he hasn’t felt that way in a long while.

“So it was a great feeling for him, and he liked it very much, and he is just working to get back to his full potential,” he said.

He underlined that a lot of work has been taking place behind the scenes to help the player rediscover his best form and that based on the early signs, they are moving in the right direction.

“Things have to be right off the field for it to be right on the field. So we are getting it right off the field, and then we do the talking on the field.

“We have changed a lot of things, and it is working out in his best interest. He is happier than he has ever been, and that is where we want to keep him.”

The 20-year-old, who is on a one-year loan from English Premier League (EPL) club Chelsea, is continuing his recovery from knee surgery that kept him out of action for more than a year.

“An injury like that will hamper a player to a certain extent, but he is being monitored by Chelsea with this injury.

“Every time he plays, they do tests and assessments to ensure that he is okay. He says he feels wonderful and powerful and he is really looking forward to this season,” said the elder Richards.

The elder Richards also revealed that Whisper’s absence from the recent Nations League squad was not a major disappointment for the player, who, he said, wants regular game time and to regain his confidence before returning to the national team.

“Dujuan is a player who always wants to play for his country, especially in the National Stadium. It is a joy for him to play inside the National Stadium.

“The four goals he scored (against Clarendon College) in schoolboy football a few years ago. He still watches that video and enjoys it up to today.

“So playing for his country is something he always wants to do, but the decision was made by the team that we had to do what we had to do, and he is now under monitoring.

“We just want to make sure the monitoring keeps going on, and he makes higher and higher progress as he goes along.

“We want Jamaica to see him at his highest level before he plays for Jamaica again. So he will not be coming, just for come sake,” he reasoned.

“It is best for him to get some game time, to get him ready for the next (international) window.

“He is not disappointed. It is making a calculated move to make sure that whenever Jamaica sees him again, he is at full capacity.”

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com