I'm not sure what to think here. CB's aren't sexy positions so fans aren't as forgiving as with attackers when they are learning. However, Davies has showed that Bayern will move players up (even N Americans). So is Richards just a bit behind because of the responsibilities of the position or do we over rate him based on youth games which don't necessarily pan out to the grown up level?
Richards (outside of being at RB instead of CB a good portion of the year) has been given the same treatment as Mai. Mai is a highly regarded German CB that is within three days of Richards DOB. So he would be the guy to watch for how they treat a perceived talent. Mai has gotten a handful of first team appearances, but to be honest substantially they have had similar years.
My man @SoccerByIves with the strong feature on Bayern Munich and #USMNT prospect Chris Richards who is continuing his hopes of playing for the first team at both levels. https://t.co/Xg6nU5HiyJ— Larry Henry Jr (@lhenry019) March 18, 2020
I really need to get my eyes checked. I thought the first sentence was "My man @SoccerBiValves." I guess I have to wait, too.
Arsenal and Chelsea are amongst the clubs battling for richards signature. https://www.express.co.uk/sport/foo...sea-Chris-Richards-transfer-Bayern-Munich/amp
Our own @eastmamba has been turning heads since his arrival in Munich. Find out a bit more about the 20-year-old American defender. 🇺🇸👇— 🇺🇸 FC Bayern US 🇨🇦 (@FCBayernUS) March 29, 2020
Certainly. But breaking thru at Bayern is tough so a loan might still be the fastest way for him to see 1st tier time on the pitch. Would LOVE a move to Chelsea as it is my team but I am not holding my breath.
Richards is a solid prospect but serious questions have been raised about whether he's good enough for Bayern or a similar level team. I think a good result would be a sale to a mid-level Bundesliga team at this point. Hopefully this will be his last season on a youth team.
There was a lengthy analysis of the Bayern youth squad in German on the "bayern blog." It was posted on Reddit and likely here as well a few months back. The takeaway was that Richards was decent defensively but lacking the offensive gifts needed to make it at Bayern. Of course take it with a grain of salt if you like, as this is one man's opinion, but (unlike us) he appears to have no agenda other than offering his accurate take on youth prospects. And I'm sure he watches more Bayern reserve matches than most (all?) of us. Here's a (poorly translated) quote: All other players have not stood out so far and / or have no significant chances of being promoted to the professionals at the moment. Chris Richards has often been hyped on social networks, but his facilities are too limited. Attacking - possibly as a compensation to the more offensive Derrick Köhn - he has no influence and defensive he is at best solid, but not without mistakes. In addition, its game structure is too prone to errors. Richards has made progress in Munich, but is now not a candidate for the professionals. The situation is similar with Köhn. It is enough for the third division, but he does not show much potential upwards at the moment. Too many basic things are missing, especially in the position game and in understanding the game. https://miasanrot.de/zwischenfazit-amateure-3-liga/
Richards not being offensive as a RB is okay since the US and Bayern see him as a CB. He was being played at RB because he was good enough to start. Lukas Mai who is a 20 year old German CB prospect started the season with Bayern II captain Feldhahn. Feldhahn was suspended on yellow cards in December and Richards replaced him. This calendar year he has not won his spot back with Richards remaining there. Bayern II struggled at the start of the season adjusting to the new level of play. Bayern II have won 6 games and lost 7 this calender year with Mai and Richards at CB
Yeah I remember this line of rhetoric and I remember a poster here basically surmising the same thing...likely from this article. We'll ultimately see in the end, but the overall take away from this article (I'm fluent in German) seems to be that the author isn't all too satisfied with the overall direction of their academy. They try to take into account that the amateur's ascendency into the 3.Liga has an increased level of play, but it seems to be that they're analyzing and assessing based off as if they were playing in a lower league. The section that they directly reference this, for instance, mentions that this team is very young, but they still push this narrative they should have had more success and victories at this level. Further, I really do think they were viewing Richards as a RB, especially considering they're comparing him to Derrick Köhn, their LB. Saying Richards is missing foundational pieces is over the top, considering what Bayern themselves are saying and that he's still playing extensively. So we'll see, but there's context here that the author is missing or omitting in my opinion.
Ehhh Bundesliga 3 is a fully professional league there bud. He played against grown ass 1st teamers playing professional soccer this year.
Further more Lukas Mai and him are actually the same exact age (born three days apart Happy 20th Lukas Mai!). Mai's been in the Bayern umbrella for over 5 years at this point. They virtually had the same developmental season. You can say maybe Richards would be doing better at a different club...But you can't say he's had a bad year given the club he's at. I said this at the beginning of the season: Nothing wrong with playing in Liga 3 as a 19 year old. I'd be more concerned if he repeats the level, while Mai gets promoted or goes on loan. I would be upset if Richards stays in Liga 3 UNLESS he gets an opportunity with the first team and they've kept him for potential integration with the first team.
Der Ausschuss 3. Liga, die Verantwortlichen der 20 Klubs und der #DFB haben sich am heutigen Donnerstag auf einer außerordentlichen Managertagung über das weitere Vorgehen in der #3Liga ausgetauscht. Ziel ist weiterhin, die Saison fortzusetzen:➡️ https://t.co/SLYRFvhhyn pic.twitter.com/kVnUBfhorv— 3. Liga (@3_liga) April 9, 2020 Meeting on resuming 3 Liga. Goal is to finish the season
USMNT prospect Chris Richards has big goals. - Make Bayern debut this season or early next season- Become part of the USMNT this upcoming cycle- Help 🇺🇲 get to World Cup More from our convo here, including the Bayern star who took him under his winghttps://t.co/s3P9Z9xABu— Roger Gonzalez (@RGonzalezCBS) April 8, 2020
in my humble opinion, he won't go on loan next season. also only one of the two will make into the bayern first team. as of late it looks like it'll be mai. things can change There are concrete ideas at the club to send Lars Lukas Mai and Chris Richards - among others - out on loan in the summer. Several Bundesliga clubs are showing interest in the players of Bayern II [@mano_bonke] pic.twitter.com/Adkz7JXNol— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) April 14, 2020