Trialists come and go without so much as a whisper, but Dujuan Richards, whose nickname actually is ‘Whisper’ has caught the attention of the Toon Army and is now waiting to see if Newcastle United are going to offer him a contract.
The 17-year-old Jamaican has made waves back home, scoring 31 goals and providing 19 assists for Phoenix All Stars Academy last season which caught the eye of Newcastle who brought the youngster over take a closer look at what he can do.
Richards is certainly not short of confidence, telling The Chronicle: “I’m very pleased with how the trial went, and I believe my performance was impressive enough.”
It certainly sounds like Newcastle impressed him too as he learned about the project the club have undertaken and namechecked a couple of legends in his interview:
“I know Newcastle has been the club of great players in the past like Alan Shearer and Kevin Keegan, and I also know they have been building their way right back to the top of the Premier League. The Premier League is of the highest standard, and many players dream of playing there.
“I enjoyed the fans and the super support the team gets from them. I would love to be one of those blessed players to represent a Premier League club, and even more so one with such a high pedigree.”
Teenager Richards awaiting results of Newcastle trial
Now it just remains to be seen if the feeling is mutual and if Richards will join the ranks of Newcastle’s potential superstars which includes Australian international, Garang Kuol and Harrison Ashby who just made the switch to Tyneside from West Ham as part of Dan Ashworth‘s youth revolution.
If it was based on how Richards describes himself, I’d say sign him up right now, as he told The Chronicle: “I don’t speak a lot, I listen much much more. That’s why they call me Whisper. I am 6ft 4ins, but I have strength and balance in an unusual way and can use both feet to dribble, shot and pass. I was a lanky slow kid, but today I’m one of the fastest players with a great change of pace.
“My speed, strength, movement and skills help me to be a finisher, provider and creator. I like the player I have become but I want to be remembered like a Zlatan, Harry Kane, or Alan Shearer.”
Tall, strong and quick, he clearly knows where the goal is and harbours a desire to hit the levels of Shearer, Kane and Zlatan Ibrahimovic – what’s not to love?
Of course it’s one thing to back yourself, it’s another to turn that confidence into performances at the highest level, and that’s what will be influencing the club’s decision, whether or not they believe he has what it takes to make that big step up from the Jamaican academy system, to the Premier League academy system.
Whatever happens, I don’t think this is the last we’ll hear of Dujuan ‘Whisper’ Richards.
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