‘Whisper’ to skip U-20 qualifiers
THE MOST notable absence from Jamaica’s Under-20 squad set to take on Martinique, Grenada, and Bermuda in Group F of the Men’s Under-20 Championship qualifiers in St Kitts and Nevis next week is Chelsea’s Dujuan ‘Whisper’ Richards.
According to his agent at Phoenix Academy, Craig Butler, Whisper was initially included in head coach John Wall’s 21-man squad, which was announced earlier this week, however, the qualifiers do not fall in an international window.
“He was selected, however, he was not released by Chelsea after discussing the matter with me, his manager. Chelsea and I decided that for this one, he would sit out because he is now on a programme where he is increasing his minutes to break into the first team. If you noticed, he did a few minutes with the under-18s and a few minutes with the under-21s.
So we decided at this particular junction, he would not play,” said Butler.
Richards made the sensational transfer to English Premier club Chelsea last year but had only been recently cleared to play in competitive fixtures. The teenager is now training with Chelsea’s first team.
Butler is confident that in Richard’s absence, the team selected will be able to secure qualification to the CONCACAF Men’s U-20 Championships.
Butler has watched the team in their training sessions and believes this squad has a good chance in their hunt for Jamaica’s second-ever World Cup appearance.
“I think they have a really good chance with these players. I’ve watched the training, and I think that the players are gelling well. They are working together, and they are working with the coaches to do their best out there. I see the camaraderie, and it’s very good, and they’re playing to the system that the coaches want.”
Only the group winner will advance to the CONCACAF Men’s U-20 Championships. Jamaica play against Martinique at St Kitts and Nevis Football Association Technical Centre at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
The young Reggae Boyz will then take on Grenada at the same venue and time on Monday before finally tackling Bermuda on Wednesday.