Exclusive: 18-year-old youngster has been promoted to Chelsea first-team training after impressing Pochettino and coaches with his performance.

Chelsea’s recruitment policy under Todd Boehly has seen the club bring in exciting young talent from all over the world. Among the Blues’ recruits in 2023 was Dujuan Richards from Jamaica.

Richards is a product of the prestigious Phoenix Academy in Jamaica renowned for producing Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey. Last year, Richards burst into prominence with his performances at the Manning Cup in Jamaica.

The exciting youngster’s highlight reels from the tournament went viral on social media and attracted the attention of several Premier League clubs. Among them, Newcastle United and Chelsea.

Photos: Dujuan Richards in Chelsea training.

Chelsea won the race for Dujuan Richards

Richards spent a trial at Newcastle, but in the end, it was Chelsea who won the race for his signature wrapping him up on a pre-contract in June.

By then, Richards had already become a fully-fledged senior Jamaican international. Making his debut in March against Trinidad and Tobago he became the youngest player to represent Jamaica in the last 20 years.

Last summer, Richards was also included in Jamaica’s squad for the Gold Cup. In Jamaica’s 4-1 victory over Trinidad and Tobago, Richards even managed to get himself on the score-sheet becoming the youngest Jamaican to score in the competition and the second youngest player overall, behind Canada’s Alphonso Davies.