AFTER seeing Dujuan “Whisper” Richards’ performances in Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz’s recent games, Head Coach Steve McClaren says the Chelsea FC winger is likely to feature prominently in the technical staff’s long-term plans.

Richards, who turned 20 last week, made a much-anticipated return to the national senior men’s team for the final-round Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers, after a two-year absence. He also missed a year of club football with Chelsea’s youth team after undergoing surgery in 2024 to repair damage to his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Richards was initially left out of Steve McClaren’s 26-man squad to face Curacao and Bermuda but was called in as a replacement for winger Demarai Gray who picked up an injury a day before the Boyz’s trip to Curacao.

Richards’ late arrival meant he missed the team’s final training session before the Curacao game on October 10, but he delivered a sprightly late cameo as an 82nd-minute substitute during the 0-2 defeat.

He, however, trained twice with the team ahead of the Bermuda game on October 14, and impressed the coaching staff.

Those training performances manifested during the 4-0 win over Bermuda at the National Stadium where he ignited the home support with an exhibition of nifty footwork; incisive passing; and wily, off-the-ball movements. Richards topped off the display with a brilliant solo goal in the 76th minute to seal the victory.

McClaren said he had always intended to include Richards in the set-up once the right opportunity arose.

“We followed him for a year, and we visited Chelsea in the summer where they gave us a real in-depth analysis of where Whisper was — and he was just coming back from injury,” the coach said in response to a Jamaica Observer question. “They [Chelsea] were monitoring him, controlling his minutes, so we followed him. And he was getting 45 minutes, and he was getting 50 minutes, and Chelsea were kind of managing him.

“For a year now I’ve wanted to pick Whisper in the squad, and when we did, at the beginning, he wasn’t playing. He’s been playing Under-21 football for Chelsea so he still had a lot to do. We got him in, we threw him on for 30 minutes, [and] you could see the quality he had. The two days’ training we’ve had with him has just emphasised even more what a player he can be.”

Jamaica Premier League title-winning coach Ludlow Bernard, who previously guided two of Richards’ former youth teams — Harbour View FC and Kingston College — says the gifted player has officially warranted a spot in the national team going forward.

“Whisper is one of the most promising and talented local players that we have. It was always a pleasure to see him back on the pitch,” he told the Observer. “It’s very good that he was able to be on the scoresheet, very good that he was able to be an impact in a game and very impactful in a team that seemed to be lacking in identity.”

Unlike his peers, Richards has yet to play first-team football at club level, with all of his appearances coming for Chelsea’s Under-21 team in the Premier League 2 competition during which he’s scored twice in six appearances this season.

However, Bernard believes lack of first-team action shouldn’t prevent him from being included in the Reggae Boyz squad.

“This boy has talent — he demonstrated it previously in the opportunities that he has gotten. Class is class and class is permanent. [Playing U-21 football] is not an excuse [because] if the player is good, the player is good,” he said.

While admitting no player’s spot in the squad is safe, McClaren says it’s a strong possibility that Richards will return for their decisive qualifying fixtures against Trinidad and Tobago and Curacao in November.

“There’s a long way to go but I think in the two cameo performances he’s really impressed, looked a threat. And what an addition he is to the squad!” said McClaren.

“I think he’s taken that up a level. As I say, we’ve worked with him for two days, we’ve seen him in two 30-minute [sessions] and there’s certainly some talent there.”

Bernard believes Richards will be crucial in Jamaica’s World Cup Qualifying attempt once he remains in the right physical and mental shape.

“The best thing for him is to remain humble and remain focused on what he’s been asked to do. Be respectful of his teammates, be respectful of the opponents, and don’t be afraid to express himself while he’s on the pitch because I’m sure the other players will be giving him all the support with the talent base that he has,” he said.

“He can certainly contribute in a very significant and meaningful way, and probably his contribution will go a far way in assisting Jamaica in qualifying for the next World Cup.”

The Reggae Boyz are to take on hosts Trinidad and Tobago on November 13 before entertaining Curacao at the National Stadium on November 18.

Jamaica are in prime position to seal automatic qualification to the Fifa World Cup as they lead Group B on nine points, one ahead of second-place Curacao and four ahead of third-place Trinidad.

Jamaica’s Dujuan Richards (left) dribbles by Curacao’s Leandro Bacuna during the Fifa World Cup Qualifier at Ergilio Hato Stadium in Willemstad on Friday, October 10, 2025. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

MCCLAREN… the two days’ training we’ve had with him has just emphasised even more what a player he can be

BERNARD… the best thing for him is to remain humble and remain focused on what he’s been asked to do