Injured Richards get an average 3.5 rating from Kicker (1.0 best, 6.0 worst). Not bad, I suppose, if he really is injured!
The hope of every young promising CB I'd imagine, outside the freakish few blessed with an attacker's pace.
Richards is still fast for a CB, but that guy had near Davies type of pace that he’s rarely going to face.
I think the only thing they have in common is having Ukrainian roots. Definitely not the same singer, since Gogol is an American band.
Hansi Flick reportedly wanted to keep Chris Richards at Bayern Munich for the rest of this season, but the loan to Hoffenheim gives him more chances of playing consistently now. #USMNT— Larry Henry Jr (@lhenry019) March 16, 2021
I wondered with the injury situation in the back at Bayern if Richards would have gotten decent time there. A week or so ago I tuned in to see Sule playing RB making runs up and down the flank. I thought no way a 220 lb dude can keep this up for the whole game but to his credit he did although slid to CB for last 20 minutes. Anyway, it is probably better for Richards with the loan at Hoffenheim. He can play and grow with a smidge less pressure on him and then bring that experience back to Bayern.
I believe there was an article or interview posted here recently with the same info. They wanted to keep him, but at the same time recognized the good opportunity that Hoffenheim provided right at the end of the window.
Starts today vs. Mainz. Game at 8:30ET on espn+ 🔷 A-U-F-S-T-E-L-L-U-N-G 🔷So starten wir gegen die Mainzer ⤵️#TSGM05 | #TSG pic.twitter.com/3UueifK0Z9— TSG Hoffenheim (@tsghoffenheim) March 21, 2021
He made up for his error by putting a beautiful ball over the top inside Mainz half to teammate who scored and tied it up 1-1. Of course then they gave Mainz another goal but not Richards fault on that one
The announcers seem pretty harsh on him IMO. In the 2nd half alone he made all sorts of crucial tackles that went unmentioned... heck... they really even didn't give him credit for blocking that last shot right in front of goal... but they constantly bagged on him for being careless w/ the ball... and said he only "partially" made up for his initial error with the fantastic assist. IMO, it was also debatable whether he was actually fouled on that initial steal. But whatever... he made a big error. It happens. I thought he came back strong.
That pass is absurd for a centerback. Mistakes happen. Not very many CBs make a pass like that in a game. That's the type of thing you see out of a player like Hummels.
Looking at the summary video I see that he gets caught too much upfield. I'm not sure if is be design to be pushed up by the coach or is just his tendency. Brooks will guide him to solve that. He seemed a bit slow in this game. I wonder if he still nursing an injury.
Sometimes in those 3CB systems they let those two outside CBs get forward and act as extra midfielders when a team is backed up and packed in. Feels like that's happening here, because the other outside CB (Adams?) seems to be upfield quite a bit too. Brutal mistake early on, but one he'll never forget and will learn from. Otherwise I thought he was good. Constantly putting out fires left to him to put out alone, esp in second half. Also baffled by the commentators. I think he may still be a bit banged up, but he also is so long and lanky and an easy strider, so when he's moving around he doesn't really look like he's "trying hard" but he's moving quickly and decisively it just doesn't look like it.
I stopped watching after he gave the ball away cheaply in a bad spot. That assist and the 2nd half job he put in hopefully makes up for the goal he gave up. All depends what his coach thinks although I think their CB injuries are such a problem that they don’t have any other options.
So you watched the 1st couple minutes of the game? He made up for his initial calamity... IMO, Richards is probably a good bet for getting the majority of the starts at LCB for the rest of the season.... the only thing I think could cause him concerns is if he makes a few more costly errors and Hoff get dragged into a relegation battle. I just don't see them dropping from 11th to 16th... even if only 7 points separate them. We shall see.
Interesting "error" on Richard's part. Somehow, I was under the impression that use of both hands on the opponent's back during a charge from the behind was a violation of the laws of the game. Richard's assisting pass was exquisite. He is really good at long passes. Really on target.
It also looked like he clipped Richards in the back of the legs as well.... I have seen that kind of play been called a foul more often than not.... so some poor luck there... but Richards certainly needs to learn from the experience.