Crystal Palace are fresh off the back of two friendlies, with one squad losing to Manchester United in Melbourne and the other edging out Gillingham at Priestfield. A fair few young players featured across these two games and this is becoming commonplace under Patrick Vieira. USMNT defender Chris Richards is soon to be a Palace player, as per Fabrizio Romano, and it is a deal that makes plenty of sense.
Chris Richards, now one step away from joining Crystal Palace on permanent deal from FC Bayern. Fee will be €15m with add-ons included, as @Plettigoal reported. Final details discussed. 🔴🇺🇸 #CPFC
There's full agreement on personal terms, Patrick Vieira wants Richards. pic.twitter.com/QHHC2dNWtv
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 20, 2022
USMNT Defender Chris Richards Could Become a Premier League Player
Where Richards Will Fit In at Selhurst Park
It is well documented that there is a revolution taking place at Selhurst Park and the interest in USMNT defender Chris Richards adheres to that trend. Since Vieira has taken over in South London, there have been a number of youngsters brought onboard. Tyrick Mitchell and Marc Guehi have earned themselves England call-ups whilst the talent of Ebere Eze and Michael Olise on the ball is truly remarkable.
Guehi is someone with who Richards will be competing for a spot with primarily. Beyond the starting duo of the former Chelsea man and Joachim Anderson, there is a real scarcity of talent. James Tomkins isn’t the same player he once was and another ex-West Ham United player in Cheikhou Kouyaté has always been, more traditionally, a midfielder.
Enter, the USMNT defender. He has eight caps to his name and so wasn’t a part of the successful 2021 summer. Under Gregg Berhalter, they pipped rivals Mexico to both Gold Cup glory and the Nations League title, too. Richards is still thought to be in the former Palace player’s plan going forward with the World Cup of course beckoning. Whether he is thought to be an instant starter or not with the Eagles, he provides some much-needed competition.
Read More: Five American Youngsters to Look out for in the Future
Chris Richards to Crystal Palace now nearing completion per @Plettigoal. The #USMNT defender is a very talented player but the fact that #Bayern could get up to €20 million for him is an insanely good business by the Rekordmeister. Nicely balances the books. 🔜🦅 #CPFC pic.twitter.com/gtYZpsvhIH
— Manuel Veth (@ManuelVeth) July 19, 2022
A Bit About the USMNT Defender
Richards is one of many players to come through the FC Dallas academy and then have Europe in his sights. Others include Bryan Reynolds, Reggie Cannon, Justin Che, Weston McKennie and Ricardo Pepi. That being said, he is hardly known for playing in Major League Soccer for the simple reason that he never did. He went on a trial to Bayern Munich and obviously impressed because they snapped him up.
Despite officially being a Bayern player, the USMNT defender is more known on the continent for his loan spells at Hoffenheim. He amassed 30 appearances for the club across two seasons, as well as five for his parent club. The aforementioned Che, along with Richards, is a sign of the harmonious link between Dallas and the Bavarian giants.
Richards is one of many players partaking in this rise of American players in Europe. The USMNT defender securing a move to Palace would make him one of a few in the Premier League. Christian Pulisic is the headliner plus there is Fulham duo Antonee Robinson and Tim Ream.
