Newcastle missed out on Dujuan Richards after the teenage striker signed for Chelsea late last week. The Phoenix All Stars Academy product had impressed during a two-week trial with Newcastle, who did make an offer to sign him permanently.
However, Chelsea beat Newcastle to the youngster’s signature with what is being described as a better offer with a clearer path to the first team. The Chronicle has published the following from Phoenix All Stars Academy president Craig Butler:
“It wasn’t a sudden switch, whenever you manage a player it is important that you look at all available options and choose the best possible offer.
“Newcastle really did a great job and made a big effort to get him and we appreciate everything that they have done. Newcastle presented a very good offer and 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 football pathway and the plan for the player. He will be in the first team and that is very important to me.
“If he is to go out on loan, I will be integral in the decision as to where he goes. But Chelsea are looking to put him in their first team and they have provided a plan, and that plan really fits ‘Whisper’ going forward.”
Richards had spoken to the Chronicle last week expressing his belief that he had impressed during his trial. His head was likely turned by the Blues with a better financial package. The clearer path to the first team rings a little hollow.
Newcastle are still hunting for talent. The Sun is reporting Fleetwood Town’s Stephen McMullan is now firmly in the Magpies’ sights. The report claims Newcastle have already met with the 18-year-old goalkeeper’s entourage.
McMullan hasn’t made his debut for Fleetwood though he is a Northern Ireland U19 international. He put pen to paper on a long-term contract to 2024 in January of this year. He had joined from Northern Ireland’s Warrenpoint last summer.

289 comments so far
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 13, 2023 at 2:12 PM
Comment #1Born Or Died:
1970 Graeme Jones born, Gateshead (2021-present, coach)
United made an addition to their backroom staff in January 2021, Bournemouth’s Assistant Coach arriving to work under Steve Bruce and his assistants Steve Agnew and Stephen Clemence.
The arrival of Jones coincided with an uplift in results, Bruce quick to claim that he had requested the appointment, amid claims that it had been imposed upon him.
Released by Millwall as a teenage striker, Jones worked as a heating engineer and postman whilst playing for non-league Blue Star and North Shields.
Coaching at Newcastle’s Football in the Community programme, a second chance at a Football League career came when Doncaster Rovers signed him from Bridlington Town in 1993.
Later playing for various clubs including Wigan Athletic and St.Johnstone, Jones gained his A licence in 1999 and coached at Middlesbrough Academy.
Playing alongside Roberto Martinez at Wigan, he became his assistant at Swansea City in 2007 and later followed him to Wigan, Everton and the Belgian national team.
They parted ways in 2018 when Graeme became assistant boss at West Bromwich Albion, leaving within a year to take up his first managerial role, at Luton Town.
That proved to be ill-fated though and he left the Hatters in April 2020, reappearing four months later at Bournemouth.
United reportedly paid £250K to release Jones from his contract at the Cherries, but within a week his manager Jason Tindall had been sacked and Jonathan Woodgate (who replaced Jones as coach) hastily made interim boss.
When Steve Bruce left United, Jones was placed in charge of the first team while Eddie Howe was recruited. Tindall was added to the coaching staff and Jones retained as part of it.
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 13, 2023 at 2:12 PM
Comment #2From Nufc.com
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 13, 2023 at 2:13 PM
Comment #3Don’t really have an issue with this guy choosing Chelsea over us
We are not quite there yet as a club we don’t offer a pathway to the first team and we don’t have a proper loan network setup all of these things take time
So until all of that is sorted we will lose promising players but we have pinched a lot of good academy and scouting people which come to us at the end of the season so I think we will start to see the benefits in a few years
I think people forget how much damage Ashley left us and how long that takes to remedy its like a new club starting from scratch in many respects
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 13, 2023 at 2:15 PM
Comment #4LCBP,
I hope Shola isn’t there simply because Ashley had him on an eight year deal.
Toon fans bad
Mar 13, 2023 at 2:27 PM
Comment #5So Todd Boehly did indeed chuck money at the Richards situation. How can you guarantee a pathway to the 1st team when you don’t know yet whether he’s good enough. Surely there is a pathway for any player at any club if they are good enough!
Blokes talking bollox, money decided where he went.
Chelsea normally bring players through, get them training with 1 team, play them in a few league cup or low brow European games with a few 2nd half cameos in EPL games when they’re winning, and then send them out on loan to see if they’re any good!
cleveleysbob
Mar 13, 2023 at 2:28 PM
Comment #6Lesh, from previous, your myopia is in full swing I see. I think you’d be hard pressed to find any supportive comments from me on the current government. In fact I’ve been particularly scathing about the entire edifice that is Parliament (all 650 of them) in recent times.
The link to your previous comment was simply because it was the last one of its type, and the message still applies. Chin up, the red side of the divide are going to win massively in the locals. 🙂
Adamn_92
Mar 13, 2023 at 2:29 PM
Comment #7I can almost guarantee this kid will be loaned out season after season until he’s totally forgot about or makes a permanent switch to a lesser club somewhere pretty much under the radar.
How anyone could look at how many signings Chelsea are making, how many young players they have already, how many young players in their history never make a first team appearence and yet decide that’s the best route to first team football is beyond me.
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 13, 2023 at 2:30 PM
Comment #8Magic – regarding the Saints game next month, it completely depends on whether anyone can sort me out with a ticket. As it stands, I’m not planning on going because I have no clear way of getting that ticket. If someone thinks they can help me out, I might get a cancelable hotel and keep that weekend free.
Vask
Mar 13, 2023 at 2:30 PM
Comment #9I like how GJ is accepted as part of the coaching team. Been especially visible recently. Seems too alsolove the players and his job. Game on G!
Vask
Mar 13, 2023 at 2:30 PM
Comment #10Gan*
cleveleysbob
Mar 13, 2023 at 2:32 PM
Comment #11Jail, I’m clearly thick, I don’t get the significance of the Born or Died headline to that. 😀
Vask
Mar 13, 2023 at 2:32 PM
Comment #12Adamn
Kenedy, anyone?
Vask
Mar 13, 2023 at 2:34 PM
Comment #13Speaking of Kenedy…
Anyone spot Bruno’s failed elastico towards the end yesterday?
Zhongguo Geordie
Mar 13, 2023 at 2:37 PM
Comment #14Potter has a good recent record giving kids a try.
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 13, 2023 at 2:39 PM
Comment #15cbob,
It’s a feature everyday on Nufc.com, GJ hasn’t died today so therefore was born on this day and is his Bday 😀
A Geordie Mongrel
Mar 13, 2023 at 2:39 PM
Comment #16I checked with Neil before posting this. A few bloggers requested links for full match replays. When I first started posting on here someone (sorry cannot remember who) posted links after the game for footyfull.com/ that features games in full after the game has ended from all over Europe including the Premier League. It includes Saturday 3pm kick offs.
As far as I can tell the site itself is legal but I can’t find out if the actual links are legal. I suspect not but I haven’t been able to get a definitive answer to that. You can select by league and the quality appears good. If you get a “Error 403: Location Forbidden” page just click on the back button and it takes you to the links. 🙂
A Geordie Mongrel
Mar 13, 2023 at 2:42 PM
Comment #17Try again, https://footyfull.com/premier-league/
Ty21
Mar 13, 2023 at 2:46 PM
Comment #18When you reject Ajax for Chelsea, it’s 1000% about money.
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 13, 2023 at 2:52 PM
Comment #19Gateshead in the semi final of FA Trophy under the tutelage of ‘Iron’ Mike Williamson.
A Geordie Mongrel
Mar 13, 2023 at 2:57 PM
Comment #20I’m not convinced we were played by Whisper. He, his family and coach thought it was the best decision for him. It appears Boehly has promised a lot, now he has to deliver. I really hope that he doesn’t end up like Ekitike and rueing his decisions. I wonder if PSG will exercise their option to buy?
saxonfenken
Mar 13, 2023 at 3:02 PM
Comment #21From a previous thread.
Catchy, one of the reasons I stopped commenting on this site, was because of you and others.
I personally do not think that Gl’s remark was not sports related.
But yet again you try to stir things up way out of proportion.
We are NUFC. A football club with passionate followers and should not therefore
revert to political means, to follow your usual nonsense for the sake of it.
I am 81, and can remember past glories, and sstill live in hope
wynsleap
Mar 13, 2023 at 3:18 PM
Comment #22Have to say the size (6ft 4 inches?) of this lad for his age, his prolific scoring ability, reported rapidity and confidence in his own ability augers well for him in the future and I think we have made a monumental mistake in not tying him down to the club earlier.
We seem to know who we want but others step in and do the business before we do. Perrone, Ekiteke and Andre Santos are prime examples.
We should be putting our money (we have plenty) where our mouth is as our under 19’s and 21’s teams are pretty awful. Even our ‘better’ young players going out on loan to ‘ small’ clubs can’t seem to pin down first team spots which tells you everything.
I know it’s early days for our owners but we have to do much better once we identify ‘wonderkids’ and huge potential talent. Is Ameobi and the youth managers and coaches good enough for this club?
We’re about to find out soon.
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 13, 2023 at 3:27 PM
Comment #23wynsleap,
We have to have complete faith in what these owners are doing, too many people are quick to point the finger at perceived mistakes without knowing the background. A couple of people up in arms about us letting in the BBC to the press conference on the strength of a made up story. They really have the club and seemingly the fans best interests at heart.
Zhongguo Geordie
Mar 13, 2023 at 3:29 PM
Comment #24Mr Tuff & Lesh,
None of the people abused by the German mob on Kristalnacht were technically German citizens. They’d had their citizenship removed under the Nurenberg Laws.
A Geordie Mongrel
Mar 13, 2023 at 3:31 PM
Comment #25I’m claiming a senior moment from earlier when I suggested putting in big Joe for Bruno. I forgot it was a two match ban.
Ahem, as you were. 🙁
Wynsleap, Ekitike used us to get where he really wanted and is suffering the consequences. It’s going to take time to build our reputation so we become the club of choice for talented youngsters. The foundations are in, the civils completed, now it’s time to build!
A Geordie Mongrel
Mar 13, 2023 at 3:35 PM
Comment #26ZG, I don’t get what point you’re trying to make. Surely you’re not suggesting that makes a difference?
AnyToon in Indiana
Mar 13, 2023 at 3:38 PM
Comment #27“He is going to be in the Chelsea first team” …..hahahahahahha
along with the 78 other players.
Zhongguo Geordie
Mar 13, 2023 at 3:39 PM
Comment #28Can’t ‘believe this latest culture war ‘outrage’ is still going on. It’s difficult not to get drawn in, especially when you get extreme comments like Catchys saying he accused them of genocide which is one hell of a leap. But you have to remember this is what the Toriez and their rich boy chums who own the papers want. They’ve ruined the country economically, sold off our market to the highest foreign bidders, as well as divided us just so they can hold on to power and continue to hand their friends contracts and tax breaks. Now their only hope is to polarise us more, and switch the narrative from our economic disaster to the dreaded small boats we hear so much about.
Mister Tuff
Mar 13, 2023 at 3:40 PM
Comment #29Mongrel by that link is very good, just been checking it out. No delays,buffering etc etc and very decent quality.
How long after the match has been played are these matches available to view.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 13, 2023 at 3:41 PM
Comment #30Puglet just been signed up for the Chelsea u5’s. 4 kibbles a day and goal boneos.
Zhongguo Geordie
Mar 13, 2023 at 3:45 PM
Comment #31Mongrel, of course not. Wasn’t even making any point. Just I happened to be reading about this a few weeks ago, and how dehumanising the Jewish people was one of the factors leading to the mob behaviour on kristalnacht.
A Geordie Mongrel
Mar 13, 2023 at 3:47 PM
Comment #32Mr Tuff, anything from 30 minutes to the next day. Usually within a couple of hours though.
A Geordie Mongrel
Mar 13, 2023 at 3:50 PM
Comment #33ZG, just the way I read it then. Thanks for clearing that up. 🙂
Davas
Mar 13, 2023 at 3:53 PM
Comment #34I enjoyed the new format of match of the day with the added bonus of saving wear and tear on the fast forward button on my remote.
Maybe the BBC should put that version out as an alternative in future
magicmac54
Mar 13, 2023 at 3:56 PM
Comment #35TDS
No worries mate i understand, but as i said to Sir Peter we will be in the Toon from the 28th of April to the 30th for the Southampton game and would be happy to meet up with you 3 lads for a few pints if your about in the Toon mate.
cleveleysbob
Mar 13, 2023 at 3:56 PM
Comment #36Cheers Jail, that explains it. 😀
cleveleysbob
Mar 13, 2023 at 4:01 PM
Comment #37It seems A dolf casts a long shadow, still being used as a stick to hit people with 78 years after his death.
Strange times we live in. I blame devolution. 😉
magscar
Mar 13, 2023 at 4:02 PM
Comment #38On the young kid to Chelsea I guess he might have route via some nursery cluband/or loans to eventually the first team ( as others like Christian Atsu/ Kenedy) did
However as even Conor Gallagher will find he is expendable and a stop gap until some big name is brought in
Chelsea’s financial model relies on getting in young or cheap players “fattening them for market” then selling to mitigate FFP following their high spending
Long gone are the days when Chelsea snapped up PL players like Damien Dudd and Scott Parker at inflated prices ( because they then could without FFP) and let them go at a loss
I’ve used players familiar to us NUFC fans but there are plenty other examples I am sure of to illustrate Chelsea strategy pre and post FFP
Man City haven’t been quite as profligate ( there are other issues there!) but have to trade players still in their prime ( Zinchenco, Jesus and Sterlingto try to counter FFP
We are just starting out on this and i wouldn’t be surprised if Maxi ( as a likely high transfer fee player) is sacrificed in the Summer, if need be , to supplement our team building
That is unless Bruno or Botman is tempted away 🙁
Unlikely this year though
cleveleysbob
Mar 13, 2023 at 4:04 PM
Comment #39I’d love us to stuff Nottingham Forest on Friday night. But it won’t be an easy game (what are?) I’ll settle for a lucky 0-1 as always. 😀
magscar
Mar 13, 2023 at 4:04 PM
Comment #40Damien Duff of course not Dudd – but maybe my fingers unconciously got it right 🙂