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Butler happy with Richards’ grooming
February 16, 2024
Phoenix Academy's boss Craig Butler believes the 18-year-old Dujuan 'Whisper' Richards must continue getting playing minutes after he made his debut for London club Chelsea at the Under-18 level last week, and then with the Under-21s a day later.
In the Under-21 Premier League against West Ham last Friday, Richards came on in added time and had a moment where he ran through the defence before hitting the post.
One day before, he played over 13 minutes with the Under-18s as a substitute, where he also had a few bright sparks.
Butler, who expects the former Kingston College ace to make the breakthrough to Chelsea's senior team in short order, said there is no haste.
"'Whisper' is doing very well. He is building up his minutes. He came on in the Under-18s, created a good chance and showed his quality. He went on with very few minutes in the Under-21 game, and again produced an opportunity to score. So he is developing his minutes.
"There are a lot of changes in the environment, the coaching, the lifestyle, but he is adapting, and I am sure we will see him soon in the first team," Butler said.
The Phoenix honcho is confident Richards can play with the first team now and make an impact and argued that he must be fully prepared for when that time comes.
"They are not rushing him and throwing him out there for him to fail. They want him fully prepared so that, when he takes the pitch, he will dominate. People in Jamaica don't know about the football and how to prepare and develop a player and put a player in the right place at the right time.
"Football is about timing, especially at the professional level and, although he is ready in terms of where he is with his development, being match-fit and match-ready is another case," Butler said.
"He will soon get out there, but now, it's getting minutes. Once he gets the fitness, he will be ready soon, and when he does make it onto the pitch, I am sure we all will be superhappy."
