‘FULLY PREPARED!’
National senior football representative Dujuan “Whisper” Richards is poised to depart for England next week, where he will begin his professional club career with English Premier League heavyweight Chelsea, his manager Craig Butler has said.
Richards, who signed a pre-contract with Chelsea earlier this year, is scheduled to join the London-based club after his 18th birthday on November 10.
Butler, who is president of Phoenix Academy, told the Jamaica Observer that the player is eager to make his way to Europe in the coming days.
“He will leave right after his birthday,” Butler stated.
“He will head straight to Chelsea and be part of Chelsea’s first team, where he will train with them until January. At that point, we will make a decision on whether he goes on loan or stays with the first team. But he will have the opportunity to train and stay with the first team,” said Butler.
The English Premier League, along with other leagues across Europe, is known for its fierce competition. However, Butler emphasised that Richards is determined to leave his mark, not only by representing Chelsea, but also his beloved Jamaica with every graceful touch and precise pass.
“The stories of great players are always about overcoming adversity, and he has a remarkable story to tell about overcoming adversity as a Jamaican and not selling out his country,” Butler added.
“Mentally, he is in great shape, focused, and has overcome many challenges. Fitness-wise, he trains every day at Phoenix, so he is fully prepared,” noted Butler, who is the architect for the career of his adopted son Leon Bailey, who plies his trade with English giants Aston Villa.
Richards has donned the Jamaican jersey on 10 occasions and even found the back of the net once. Born in Port Royal, Kingston, Richards has prior experience facing English opposition at the youth level.
During the 2022 Manning Cup season Richards, while representing Kingston College, delivered a remarkable performance by scoring 31 goals and registering 19 assists, showcasing his immense talent and potential.
