The starts and minutes have continued to flow for Chris Richards.
Richards started his fifth-straight English Premier League match on Thursday as Crystal Palace tied rivals Brighton & Hove Albion at Selhurst Park. The American defender logged 90 minutes in the home draw, while also playing an important role on the opening goal of the match.
Richards’ pressure on Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen eventually led to an error out of the back, allowing Crystal Palace to claim a 1-0 lead. Jordan Ayew made the Seagulls pay, boosting the Eagles in front before halftime.
https://x.com/NBCSportsSoccer/status/1737939229072597029?s=20
However, the Eagles would be under a late flurry of attacks from Brighton and Danny Welbeck’s 82nd minute equalizer helped the visitors leave South London with one point.
Richards won two duels, made four clearances, and one interception from his midfield position. The 23-year-old now has 450 minutes under his belt over his last five appearances in Roy Hodgson’s squad.
After only logging four minutes of play from Oct. 8-Nov. 25, Richards has become a consistent performers for the club.
Crystal Palace will try and snap its seven-match winless run on Dec. 27 when it visits London rivals Chelsea.
2 tone, since you asked, I think Musah’s best position is a 6 and he is the best 6 in the pool including a healthy Adams. I don’t think he particularly likes playing a 6. McKennie is terrible at the 6 as he has proven repeatedly for the US that he lacks the discipline to play that role. I don’t see his club games so I don’t know if it any different but I don’t need to see McKennie again as a 6 for the US. Having said that, McKennie is one of the best players on the team and having him on the field is usually a good thing. IMO, this is a lot of the reason Gregg likes to play a 433. In a 4231, McKennie has to be an outside player in the 3s but Pulisic and Weah have shown to be better than him at that position so he probably ends up on the bench to start games. Right now, the depth chart at 6 is Musah who has shown he can be good against CONCACAF top teams like Mexico and Canada, Adams who’s has similarly been effective against CONCACF but has been exploited by top club teams and international teams, and Maloney and Johnny who are really unproven against good competition internationally. Having another option for the 6 is good. Against weaker competition, a 433 is okay but against top teams ( which includes Holland) a 433 with one 6 is probably unrealstic.
What are you talking about? Adam’s was Leeds best player all of last year, and had his best games against the top teams in the Prem. Similarly, Tyler had his best games at the WC versus England, and was good vs the Dutch until he ran out of gas, as everyone did. Do t know what games you were watching but your synopsis couldn’t have further from the truth
Ronniet,
“What are you talking about?”
I don’t want to put words in his mouth but my guess is what he’s really referring to is you can’t rely on Tyler getting on the field anymore.
He missed 14 out of 38 EPL games for Leeds , the last 12 games in a row.
That’s a lot of really critical games. In my mind if Tyler is not hurt, Leeds maybe stays up. Those 12 games were when he was needed the most and he was not there.
Then in between seasons he rests, signs for Bournemouth and promptly breaks down.
You can’t blame someone for being hurt and the hope is that Tyler can work his way out of this pattern. Pulisic seemed to be that way for a while and now looks to have figured out his body so there is always hope.
Tyler is going to have to prove he can do the same thing and right now, it does not look good.
The latest estimates are that he might be back late February, early March. Assuming he has no problems that means he can make the Copa roster but do you really want to rely on him not having a injury setbacks? As hard as he plays? He’s only 24 but it’s a hard 24. Just look up his injury history.
The USMNT has to move on with the idea that if he does make it back, then great.
Given that it would be helpful if Yunus embraces being a 6 since he ultimately has better overall skill set than Adams.
But Tyler has a mentality that is unmatched and it remains to be seen if Yunus can get to Adams’ level.
Adams is not a good ball handler. Musah is a much better ball handler. Teams gameplan around forcing Adams to handle the ball. Those are facts, not opinions.
Tele 57,
“Adams is not a good ball handler.”
I guess.
Claude Makalele. an iconic #6 ( he wore #4) made an icon of himself by:
+ being a strong tackler
+ having a very high football IQ
+ being highly skilled
In other words he was an excellent destroyer. So is Tyler.
And then once he got the ball he would recycle it quickly and efficiently. A neutral watching him might not think much of it but guys like Hierro and Zidane thought of him as their MVP. In those terms, he was superior to Tyler.
Makalele, unlike Tyler, had excellent balls skills but, to be fair, Tyler has far fewer decent options to pass to than Claude did.
To me, Lletget is not as good as Zidane.
And John Terry was better than Zimmerman.
That said, Tyler’s ferocious defensive sensibilities obscure the fact that in “modern football” what you want from the #6 is the ability to be more of a play maker once he gets that ball from the bad guys. Think Rodri.
Handing it off to a Pulisic, Weston, Reyna or Tillman adds valuable time to the process and slows down an already ponderous, slow attack.
In basketball terms Adams limits the USMNT to a half court game and kills the counter. He doesn’t have that great downcourt outlet pass.
Yunus needs to prove he can match Tyler’s relentlessness and drive. If he can then he would be preferable to Tyler because of his potentially superior playmaking skills.
I’m sure Gregg would prefer that Yunus emerge as viable #6 option because it would solve a lot of problems for the USMNT.
Only a positive that Richards is getting the minutes for Palace. My (admittedly limited) observation of him recently in the DCM spot for Palace is that he looks solid defensively (no small feat at the Prem level!) but rather limited going forward at this time. Fits well with a defensive minded Palace team taking on heavyweights in the EPL, but not sure how that would translate to our USMNT taking on Canada or Mexico, where we would need more offensive transitioning from that spot. I think the Cameron comparison is apt, but Geoff had the vision to hit the long diagonal passes. Haven’t seen that yet from Richards, but if he can add that to his game it would be huge for him and the USMNT.
?? Chris makes Gregg’s life simpler.
Musah is a better player than Richards. And he is learning a lot at Milan.
Richards is almost certain to be that on the Copa America roster regardless and if he settles well into this role, then he gives Gregg a much more versatile roster. I don’t expect Tyler to be back for Copa America.
Doucoure tore his achilles that’s why Richards is playing DM. Riewald their other DM option has played a total of 500 minutes the last 2.5 seasons. Crystal Palace doesn’t drop a lot of money on transfers. They spent 12 million for Richards and he’s barely played because Guehi and Anderson are two of their best players. The choice was Riewald, who has never really done much after being bought from Ajax in 2017 or Richards. Guehi rumors come up every window, Palace needed to get Chris minutes in case Guehi leaves, this provided the opportunity. It’s great experience for him, but he’s not a long term solution for Palace or a short term solution for USMNT at DM. I was able to watch the match today. He was fine, left out of the article was that he was beaten on the header that tied the match. Richards is a CB, that’s where he’s at his best.
“Richards is a CB, that’s where he’s at his best.”
That’s what Geoff Cameron used to say.
But I think if you examine his record at Stoke carefully, you’ll see he played more games at right back and holding midfield than he ever did at CB where Shawcross had him beat out. Or maybe they got used to him at Right back where he was quite useful and perhaps they just preferred him there.
Richards needs to suck it up and work on his midfielder skills because that’s what modern center backs look like; big, strong and able to step into midfield at a moments notice, yet be solid one on one defenders.
If Richards plays the entire rest of the season at the #6, I can’t think of anything bad about that.
Considering Tyler Adams history of injury, I think Richards should get some games at defensive mid. If Roy Hodgson likes him there, that holds a lot of weight with me. Hodgson is close to the most experienced coach in Europe.
Their starting DM hurt his Achilles and they paid Chris a lot of money to sit on the bench. It’s out of necessity not Hodgson moving the pieces around. Still great experience for Richards.
Big decision now for Berhalter Richard’s has been playing really good at DM for Palace. Do you put him at DM or move him back to CB for the USMNT? Musah isn’t exactly a DM and neither is Mckennie.
What do others think?
?? Chris makes Gregg’s life simpler.
Musah is a better player than Richards. And he is learning a lot at Milan.
Richards is almost certain to be that on the Copa America roster regardless and if he settles well into this role, then he gives Gregg a much more versatile roster. I don’t expect Tyler to be back for Copa America.
I think Richards long term is more of a CB option, and I think a pretty good one. Speaking of long term, I’m going to make the case the usa should be in a 4 4 2. I’m seeing Robinson and Weah as outside backs, I’m seeing Musah and Mckennie as “outside” mids who also occupy centrally, I’m seeing Adams and Gio in the center together, Pulisic and Balogun up front together. This solves so many issues, like creativity in the middle, crossing options as well as more central attacking options, and a way to get all of our quality players on the field at the same time. Sorry if off topic.
Hoover, Alabama looks uncomfortable playing the 6. If anyone watched this match, one of the analysts, former player, pointed out how Richards was being pulled out of position during the halftime break. They actually showed 26 on the television struggling with the Doves in that position. Musah isn’t a good 6. LDT & McKennie aren’t good at DM. Sands & Maloney are moonlighting as DMs and better fit as CBs, who have the ability to step up and pass into the US depth chart. I’m a firm believer in letting players master 1 position before you start moving players to develop them at other positions. Has Dest mastered RB? Has Richards mastered CB? The national team is not for player development. GB is giving what most people want!! If a player isn’t good at one position, put at another position. There’s a huge difference between being a starter and a utility player. If you’re a utility player, then you are not a starter. As far as the 6 goes, Chris Durkin & Brandon Servania (Another Birmingham product), are proper 6s. Servania went to T.O and improved his overall movement because Bob Bradley played him as a RM. (JR and I have had several conversations about Servania especially his time at FCD) Cardoso is a 6, and so is Cappis (Molde). I have Aidan Morris as a 6, after this year GB will put him as an 8/6 hybrid. (Not Smart) There’s one player I’ve been waiting or wanting to see at the 6, who would be a perfect fit- John Brooks. He doesn’t want to play defense but does like to pass into the offensive 1/3.
I don’t know that any of those guys you listed are NT quality though either (outside Johnny). I was shocked Durkin is still 23, 24 in Feb. Sadly, Servania tore his ACL and is out until at least summer. I do think Herdman could do well with him, but not a lot of guys burst onto NT seen at 25 on a surgically repaired knee. I love Aidan Morris, but I’m not sure he’s physical enough to play as a straight 6 at the NT level, hopefully we’ll see how he does in Paris this summer. JAB as a 6, is definitely outside the box not sure he wants to run that much. Since Richards in his post game remarked on how much more running he does as a DM.
IO2T,
” I’m a firm believer in letting players master 1 position before you start moving players to develop them at other positions. Has Dest mastered RB? Has Richards mastered CB? The national team is not for player development. GB is giving what most people want!! ”
Sure, but Richards is doing this at Palace not with the USMNT. And GB has nothing to do with this. Frankly, the USMNT has no players who have mastered their positions. Maybe Ream but IV hates the ground he walks on so I couldn’t possibly be right about that.
This is clearly an emergency measure because it looks to me like Richards is not going to make anyone forget Rodri or even Stones. That’s because he’s learning OTJ.
For sake of argument let’s say Chris winds up doing this the rest of the season. That means that by the time Gregg has to start thinking seriously about Copa America roster, Chris should know his way around playing the #6 a little bit. How much that eases the USMNT’s “#6 problem” who knows but it can’t hurt. It beats him sitting on his ass. I’m amused that there is such a negative reaction to this. Like Chris is violating a sacred rule. After all, it seems like a German tradition to play their centerbacks at right back and elsewhere at some point.
I do know that whatever Chris is doing at Palace it isn’t stopping any of those proper #6’s you mentioned from making a USMNT claim.
Adams is a serous question mark for Copa America and maybe longer.
“If a player isn’t good at one position, put at another position. There’s a huge difference between being a starter and a utility player.
“If you’re a utility player, then you are not a starter. ”
I’m not sure that that rule applies to national teams. Beggars can’t be choosers.
If the USMNT player pool does not have someone playing the #6 on a regular basis at the club level who can force Gregg to pay attention to him, then he’s going to have to sort through his pig pile to come up with something.
“As far as the 6 goes, Chris Durkin & Brandon Servania (Another Birmingham product), are proper 6s. Servania went to T.O and improved his overall movement because Bob Bradley played him as a RM. (JR and I have had several conversations about Servania especially his time at FCD) Cardoso is a 6, and so is Cappis (Molde). I have Aidan Morris as a 6, after this year GB will put him as an 8/6 hybrid. (Not Smart) There’s one player I’ve been waiting or wanting to see at the 6, who would be a perfect fit- John Brooks. He doesn’t want to play defense but does like to pass into the offensive 1/3.”
As best as I can tell Gregg is not on your wavelength about any of these people ( though Cardoso may get a sniff) .
“I’m amused that there is such a negative reaction to this. Like Chris is violating a sacred rule.“ I think you’re reading a lot into this. Gary and 2tone were all excited maybe we found the new 6. Its and I just pointed out he’s playing but not necessarily playing outstanding as a 6. Not at the level he’s played at as a CB for Palace or Hoffenheim. Gregg has until March before he calls another roster. At that point Miles will have just began his season, CCV, EPB, and Ream have had injury issues, the whole maybe at CB not 6 anyway.
JR,
Lets assume Gregg actually has some idea of what he is doing.
I know, big leap there.
Anyway , you’d like to think that he realizes he can’t count on Adams being at Copa America, or if he is available, not being the Tyler we all know and love.
The USMNT has to be about more than just whether Tyler is available or not.
At this time I see no drop in , like for like ,replacement for Tyler.
You’d guess Gregg’s planning on making it up with a combination of one of the usual suspects to replace Tyler directly :
Musah, Acosta, Johnny, LDLT, Sands, or Maloney
combined with a formation change of some sort.
The Copa A roster deadline is a while away yet and in the interim I’d guess Gregg is hoping for:
+ A full recovery by Tyler
+ One of the usual suspects raising their game
+ The emergence of a “proper 6 ” from somewhere outside his normal menagerie.
Chris would probably prefer that Palace move him into the staring lineup as a CB. However, barring that, if Palace decides to continue the Chris experiment until seasons end that might give Gregg something to think about.
That can only be beneficial because it means that Palace don’t see Richards as MORE useful at CB and he likely would not be playing otherwise. This is a nice way to keep the rust off of him.
Athletes have a limited amount of time to get on the field. Playing, even if it is out of position is better than rotting on the bench.
Richards has other things to worry about rather than just the USMNT.
I personally don’t see Richards being able to effectively play the 6 the way the USMNT want at that position. I do however think getting minutes keeps him in playing rhythm, thus sliding back to CB for the Nats won’t be a problem in terms of his form