Newcastle United ‘made a great effort’ to sign Dujuan Richards but Premier League rivals Chelsea presented the ‘best possible offer’, Phoenix Academy president Craig Butler tells Jamaica Gleaner.
Just last week, Richards seemed to suggest that he would jump at the opportunity to put pen to paper with the Tynesiders after undergoing a two-week trial (The Chronicle).
That was, however, until a counter-offer from Chelsea turned his head. Richards, one of the most exciting young talents to emerge out of Jamaica of late, signed a pre-contract with Graham Potter’s side late last week.
He will arrive in West London, Butler explains, when he turns 18 in November.
Chelsea beat Newcastle United to Phoenix Academy starlet Dujuan Richards
“It wasn’t a sudden switch. Whenever you manage a player, it is important that you look at all the available options and choose the best possible offer,” says Butler, who works as the president of Phoenix Academy in Jamaica.
“Newcastle really did a great job and made a great effort to get him. We appreciate everything that they have done. Newcastle presented a very good offer. So did Genk and Ajax. But, for us, Chelsea presented the best one.
“Chelsea were not just better from a financial perspective but also in terms of his footballing pathway. And the plan for the player. He will be in the first-team and that is very important.
Richards scored a frankly absurd 31 goals last season while setting up 19 more. Chelsea chief Joe Shields played a big role in luring the teenager to Stamford Bridge ahead of St James’ Park, having watched Richards closely in recent years.
“He is a great player,” coach Raymond Watson told the Jamaica Observer six months ago. “And once he knows his talent and becomes a little bit more of a team player, he could be unstoppable.
“He is getting there. It’s amazing to think about what the future holds for him if he continues on the same path.”
Another Phoenix Academy starlet, Donhue Mitchell, could soon be on his way to Aston Villa.
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