Who is Dujuan Richards? Chelsea's next goalscoring phenom

Stuart Telford

• 25 Jun 2023 14:46 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea have signed Jamaican goalscoring prodigy Dujuan 'Whisper' Richards, with the youngster arriving at the club next season once he has turned 18, but what else is there to know?

Richards is the latest player to arrive in what is Todd Boehly's 'Vision 2030' for the club - ergo, the signing of players who will still be at the peak of their abilities, and sell-on value, by the end of the decade.

While Villarreal's Nicolas Jackson will go straight into the first team on completing his €37 million transfer this summer, Richards is one for the future - but that doesn't mean excitement around the Jamaican goalscorer is anything but justified.

READ: Who is Nicolas Jackson? Chelsea finally unearth potential Drogba successor

FootballTransfers takes a closer look…

What position does Richards play in?

Like Jackson, Richards is a striker, but unlike the Senegalese he is stronger on his left foot than his right. Still just 17, he has been used across the front three positions by the Phoenix Academy in his native Jamaica, but looks destine to lead the line as a senior pro.

How good is Richards?

Richards has been a prolific goalscorer at youth level, and tallied 31 goals and 19 assists at the 2022 Manning Cup - considered Jamaica's most prestigious youth competition, and already have three senior caps for his nation.

From a sporting family - uncle Nick plays in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets - Richards is already a powerfully built 6'2" striker who still has some filling out to do.

READ: Chelsea 'expected to bid' for third player after Caicedo and Jackson

What clubs are interested in Richards?

Richards went on trial with Chelsea's Premier League rivals Newcastle in February and reportedly turned down a big-money move from the Middle East awaiting an offer from the Magpies.

When does Richards' contract expire?

The terms of Richards' deal with the Phoenix Academy are unknown, but it seems likely he will sign a long-term contract at Chelsea on his arrival.

How old is Richards?

Born on 11 October 2005, Richards is still just 17 at the time of writing.

He shares a birthdate with former Sunderland centre-back Nyron Nosworthy who, like Richards, turned out for Jamaica despite being eligible for England/

What is Richards' Instagram?

Richards' Instagram can be found under the handle @whisper.9._. He has 52.1k followers as of June 2023.