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 14, 2023 at 8:51 AM
Comment #281magscar,
Imo they’re the two most exciting signings we made in Ashworth and Eales, we won’t see the immediate benefits the way we have Bruno and Botman but what these two will bring to the table in the long run, is immeasurable.
dazzler
Mar 14, 2023 at 8:53 AM
Comment #282Catchy,
He was referring to the language used to dehumanise a group of people in the eyes of the population. To make them seem unworthy of being here, a burden on resources, and just generally a sense of “dey tuk ur jeeeeeeerbs”.
In no way did he even suggest, let alone accuse the government of plotting mass genocide against these people. He said “language” not “actions”, there is a clear and distinct, and some would say very easy to understand difference. Anything else is just you jumping to conclusions, or finding things to be offended about, or both.
Also if they weren’t fleeing a war, where did they come from before they arrived in France?
Were you this offended by Alan Sugar photoshopping Corbyn into a picture with that mental Austrian? I bet you weren’t, even though that was categorically worse than anything Lineker has ever said.
dazzler
Mar 14, 2023 at 8:56 AM
Comment #283FTC,
You might help to dilute the craziness of the blog if you refrained from offering people out for straighteners every couple of weeks 😉
And for the record, this is in no way endorsing anyone bringing family into disagreements, I don’t agree with that at all.
The overrated Frenchman
Mar 14, 2023 at 9:07 AM
Comment #284“Physical threats will lead to a suspension or a ban” Neil Harrison is chicken shit
The overrated Frenchman
Mar 14, 2023 at 9:10 AM
Comment #285I’d love to get Fenham in a ring with someone like Danny Green who is about the same age. That might be the last threat Fenham ever makes
magscar
Mar 14, 2023 at 9:13 AM
Comment #286Some discussion yesterday about possible/likely outgoings and a name that didn’t crop up was Dubravka
Given his clear reluctance to be simply back up and doubt over even with possible extra games next season that Howe would swap his keeper around what do posters think about looking to sell him
Under contract until 2026 not old for a keeper and despite his underwhelming loan to Man U is still a PL level player who should atttract up to mid table sides and those clubs coming up
I like the guy but he doesn’t understandably want to play understudy and yhe more i think about it is likely to go in summer
Then it’s a question of Darlow coming back from Hull loan but surely also time to move on, Karius, Langley and Gillespie all of whom have contracts expiring in June so we have an issue to resolve
Do club think enough of Karius to extend contract again?
Would he rather want to see if he could get a first team place again somewhere else on back of his cameo performance in Carabao Cup final?
Being a back up to Goalkeeper position is not for every capable keeper
Might club look to upgrade on Pope longer term by bringing in a young understudy better on ball like Alison and Ederson?
As well as the obvious recruiment at LB midfield and up front I believe Club need to decide what to do with keepers
lesh
Mar 14, 2023 at 9:18 AM
Comment #287dazzler
@283
Fenham’ll never change, it’s the way he is – a sociopath bordering on psychopathy….. dangerous!
I’ve come across all manner of folk over the years and some whose behaviours seem inconsistent with those expected in their claimed profession.
DayvanCowboy
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:12 AM
Comment #288Ohhhh Fenham, you have a really weird obsession with “proper men” don’t you, now don’t get me wrong I’m a sucker for a bawldy head so you’re right I probably wouldn’t “last long” in your soft moisturised hands sweet cheeks, but hanging around in pub car parks isn’t really my jam, all a bit overly seedy for me and stinks of closet desperation from un-satisfied house husbands.
Yeah I love a bit of mutual bondage and mixing it up in bed actually, it keeps things interesting, so if that makes me the “perverted type” then consider me guilty, not sure why you’ve chosen to just out yourself as a bit of a boring vanilla 2 pumps and done type of guy between the sheets here, a strange tactic, a bit of mutual slap and tickle never hurts anybody, just ask the Mrs.
DayvanCowboy
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:15 AM
Comment #289Aww Catchy, you’re not wrong old flubber brains, I’m certainly too* smart for you.