Butler believes Whisper can offer Reggae Boyz World Cup boost
Published:Sunday | August 31, 2025 | 12:21 AMLivingston Scott - Gleaner Writer
ADMIRERS AND well-wishers of Jamaica and Chelsea prodigy, Dujan ‘Whisper’ Richards, were all happy to see the 19-year-old return to the pitch after spending more than a year on the sidelines after an ACL injury and surgery.
Richards marked his return last week with the opening goal in a 5-0 win over former suitors Newcastle.
The young player was also named to a provisional list of 44 players selected by coach Steve McClaren for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers on September 5 and 9, but failed to make the final 26 likely on account of not having much game time since his return.
The player’s agent Craig Butler strongly believes the youngster should have been a part of the final squad to play Bermuda and Trinidad next week.
Butler pointed out that there were players playing at a lower level than the England under-21 league, while some were not playing at all, and have been included. He believes Richards can add quality, especially in the goalscoring department.
“There should be no question about calling up a man, who returns from injury, and last season (before injury) he played 10 games for Chelsea’s u21s and has scored seven goals and three assists. That’s an average of a goal contribution a game.
“Chelsea have the ability to buy the best talent in the world and he is at the top. So if Jamaica is wise, they would call ‘Whisper’ right away and not question it,” he said.
In his first game back against Newcastle, Richards opened the scoring after 16 minute with a low drive from outside the area, and looked his usual mesmerising self against the young magpies, and Butler noted that the player used his time out of the game to develop other aspects of his game.
“Whisper is fit, powerful. While ‘Whisper’ was injured, he took the time to bulk up. He worked on the other (right) leg to get it strong. So now he is a complete beast.
“I think he is the answer to Jamaica’s strikers woes now. I think he is the heir apparent to Michail Antonio.
“Coming off an injury with surgery and scoring from 20 yards out, which he did (against Newcastle), is exceptional.”
Butler credits Chelsea for their approach to the player’s rehabilitation and believes that sooner than most people expect, Richards will become a top player for the London club.
“Chelsea was wise with his return. They did not push him. They made sure he is physically a hundred per cent before they released him.
“We were pushing him and they said they are going to wait, to make sure it is done right.
“So we want to thank the club for that because now, there is a big change in his physicality. It’s huge. He is already strong and he is only going to get better and stronger. He is a top-quality player and will rise to the top of the food chain soon enough,” he stated.