Richards plots confident comeback

Odile Richards, the father and new manager of Jamaica international footballer Dujuan ‘Whisper’ Richards, said the player is feeling like his old self, after his debut for AFC Wimbledon in English League One on the weekend.

However, he noted that the player’s omission from the Reggae Boyz squad for upcoming Nation League matches was a calculative decision by the player and his management team to take a leave from international football, so he can rebuild his form and his confidence.

“The debut was a very good one. It was his first time playing since April and it meant a lot to him.

“In his exact words. The feeling that he got was the same feeling he had while playing for Kingston College and he hasn’t felt that way in a long while.

“So it was a great feeling for him and he liked it very much and he is just working to get back to his full potential,” he said.

He underlined that a lot of work has been taking place in the background to help the player rediscover his true level, and that based on the start, they are definitely heading in the right direction.

“Things have to be right off the field for it to be right on the field. So we are getting it right off the field, and then we do the talking on the field.

“We have changed a lot of things and it is working out in his best interest. He is happier than he has ever been and that is where we want to keep him.”

The 20 year old, who is on a one-year loan from English Premier League club Chelsea, is still recuperating from knee surgery that kept him out of the game for over a year.

“An injury like that will hamper a player for a long time but he is being monitored by Chelsea.

“Every time he plays, they do tests and assessments to ensure that he is okay. He says he feels wonderful and powerful and he is really looking forward to this season,” he added.

Meanwhile, the elder Richards revealed that ‘Whisper’s’ absence from the recent Nation League squad was not a major disappointment for the player, who he said wants to get regular game time and his confidence back before returning to the national team.

“Dujuan is a player who always wants to play for his country, especially in the National Stadium.

“The four goals he scored (against Clarendon College) in schoolboy football a few years ago. He still watches that video and enjoys it up to today.

“So playing for his country is something he always wants to do. “We just want to make sure the monitoring is constant and he makes progress as he goes along.

“We want Jamaica to see him at his highest level when he plays for the national team again.

“Now it is best for him to get some game time to get him ready for the next (international) window.”

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com