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Is USMNT star Chris Richards no longer a defender? Man of the Match performance put in for Crystal Palace when filling unexpected role

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Crystal Palace

The 23-year-old has forged his reputation as a centre-half, allowing him to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/why-usmnt-chris-richards-leave-bayern-munich-crystal-palace-transfer/bltda9bad8d99b5c696" target="_blank">spend time with FC Dallas, Bayern Munich and Crystal Palace</a>. He has earned 14 caps <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/hang-out-jedi-usmnt-stars-chris-richards-antonee-robinson-premier-league-bromance-crystal-palace-fulham/bltb334df0a2380b388" target="_blank">for the USMNT in a defensive berth</a>, but is being nudged into midfield by Eagles boss Roy Hodgson and put in a Man of the Match performance during a 1-1 Premier League draw with West Ham.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Richards has told Palace’s <a href="https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/video/chris-richards-palace-tv-west-ham-crystal-palace-december-2023/ " target="_blank">official website</a> of filling an expected role – in what was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/first-premier-league-start-worth-wait-usmnt-richards-crystal-palace-man-utd/blt0e56118d2f7fc02a" target="_blank">just his sixth start in the English top-flight</a>: “I wasn’t expecting it, but I just want to be on the pitch – so whatever it takes! It was something! It was a bit more defensive than anything, so I enjoyed that aspect, but I just liked being on the pitch and getting a point. There’s a bit of similarity [to centre-back]. I’m just not used to the ball going over my head like that, so that was something that took a bit of getting used to, but I enjoyed it. I was kind of surprised to play it, but I feel like I did pretty well.”

WHAT RICHARDS SAID

Richards was deployed in midfield after seeing Jeffrey Schlupp withdrawn from the Palace squad due to personal reasons. He completed the second-most tackles (five), interceptions (two) and clearances (four) of any player on the pitch and <a href="https://twitter.com/eastmamba/status/1731658529256116553" target="_blank">said on social media</a> of being recognised as the Eagles’ star performer: “Proud to be voted yalls man of the match yesterday. Let’s get the 3 points on Wednesday.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Hodgson said of seeing Richards thrive in an unfamiliar position: “He must be very pleased with his performance as a central midfield player, albeit that he is, by trade, more of a centre-half.” The Alabama native will be <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/usmnt-chris-richards-psv-feyenoord-crystal-palace-january-transfer/blte97ada6ecf207b7f" target="_blank">hoping to retain his starting berth</a> for back-to-back home dates against Bournemouth and Liverpool.

WHAT NEXT FOR RICHARDS?

Is USMNT star Chris Richards no longer a defender? Man of the Match performance put in for Crystal Palace when filling unexpected role | Goal.com Cameroon

United States international Chris Richards may be about to change position for club and country, with the natural defender being moved up the field.