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Bayern Munich’s American defender Chris Richards is back in shape and eager to resume the fight for a place on Hansi Flick’s side, saying: “If I can play Robert Lewandowski, I can play anyone.”
The 20-year-old made his Bundesliga debut at the end of last season and was heavily involved in the first half of 2020/21, playing off the bench in Matchday 1’s win over Schalke and taking his first start in the third day. home win against Hertha Berlin.
A calf injury forced him off the pitch in that October 4 game and kept him out of action for a couple of weeks, but Richards has since recovered, playing twice for the Bayern subsidiary and participating. again in first team training.
Richards had to be substituted in his starting debut for Bayern due to a calf complaint. – false images
And it’s those sessions against players like Robert Lewandowski that Richards believes have made him a better player.
“I’ll give you a 60-40 lead [in terms of training battles won]”he said in an interview with SiriusXM.” I trust in myself. I know he’s one of the best strikers in the world, nothing is expected of me when we meet in practice so I just want to show everyone that I can be that young American who turns down Lewandowski in training.
“Although a lot of times it catches me, it’s definitely a back and forth thing. If I can play Lewandowski, I can play any striker in the world.”
Not only that, but his fellow defenders also give him advice on the best way to stop the seemingly unstoppable UEFA European Player of the Year, who has already scored 10 goals in the Bundesliga this season.
Iron sharpens iron: Richards goes shoulder to shoulder with Bayern’s best workouts. – Philippe Ruiz via www.imago-images.de/imago images / Philippe Ruiz
“Most of the time I talk to the other center-backs,” Bayern number 41 said. “Guys like Jerome Boateng, David Alaba, Niklas Süle, they give me advice later on what I could have done better and how to defend a guy like Lewandowski.”
The Bayern forward may well be the best player on the planet today, but Richards admitted that prevents him from tackling during practice games: “At first it was difficult to find the right intermission, but speaking to the older guys, they said that they would rather me go 100 percent than zero percent. Nobody improves with that. Everyone knows that things happen in training, but if you see that it is a risky entry or a risky situation, you withdraw why not No I want to hurt no one. “
Although the Texas native was educated as a central defender, his start against Hertha came in the less familiar position as a right back. He performed excellently before his injury, recording one assist for Lewandowski and another being ruled out as Thomas Müller was offside.
And that new perspective – moving down the flank, rather than lagging behind as central defenders should – has also improved Richards’ game.
“At the beginning of last year I started playing a bit as a right back just because of the depth of the squad with the second team,” explained the 6’3 US youth international.
“It was my first time playing as a right back. It teaches you a lot about the offensive side of the game, and also about seeing the field in a different aspect. You have to be perfect in your one-on-one matches.” , both offensively and defensively.
“So I think playing as a right-back has helped me a lot playing as a center-back because you have to be sharp in your one-on-ones. Especially being a defender, if you lose then he’s right in front of your goalkeeper. So I guess he taught me how to be more precise with my tackles and when to win the ball. “
Richards has 12 games for the US 19, but is eager to step up to the senior roster. – via www.imago-images.de/imago images / DeFodi
All of this is fueled by his dual goal of establishing himself in Bayern’s first team and the United States men’s team.
Richards has played for his country at the youth level, but has yet to be a senior international. However, it is very much in the plans of head coach Gregg Berhalter.
“I’ve had conversations with Gregg,” Richards confirmed. “He always asks me how I’m doing off the field, if I’m healthy. Obviously he can watch every game I play. He helps me if I need any advice with the things I’ve been doing on the field.
“Hopefully they call me for their next camp. Just being able to represent my country at the highest level would be an incredible honor for me. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do.”
