The 6’3 striker now has a chance to follow in the footsteps of Chelsea legends like Didier Drogba, Diego Costa and Eden Hazard
Chelsea has completed the official signing of Jamaican wonderkid Dujuan ‘Whisper’ Richards. The European giants had signed a pre-contract agreement with the attacker back in March.
The 17-year-old has been signed from Jamaica’s Phoenix Allstars Football Academy. He is now a registered Chelsea player he will join Mauricio Pochettino’s squad when he turns 18 in November.
Richards is currently representing Jamaica in the ongoing Concacaf Gold Cup. He is the youngest player to represent Jamaica in a major tournament. The youngster grabbed the world’s attention after he scored 31 goals in the previous season. He also recorded 19 assists in the process. These performances came when he was playing for the All Stars.
Jamaica coach Heimir Hallgrimsson regards him as one of the best players that the nation has ever produced. He is considered to have a higher ceiling than Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey. Bailey is also a Jamaican international who was developed in the Phoenix Academy. Bailey was also linked with Chelsea during the early stages of his career. He built a name for himself during his stint at German side Bayer Leverkusen.
Richards also had interest from Newcastle and Ajax FC. Chelsea scout Joe Shields flew to Jamaica to ensure that Richards didn’t sign for any other team. He is likely to start his career in the under-18 development squad. He will be called into the first team if he impresses against his age mates.
Chelsea made a smart decision to move to Chelsea because the team has been struggling for quality striker since 2017. Diego Costa was the last world-class striker to play for Chelsea. Strikers like Alvaro Morata, Romelu Lukaku and Pierre-Emmerick Aubameyang have struggled to impose themselves in recent times. Richards will certainly secure a spot as the first or second striker if he continues with his goal-scoring form.
The 6’3 striker now has a chance to follow in the footsteps of Chelsea legends like Didier Drogba, Diego Costa and Eden Hazard.
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