Chris Richards at Crystal Palace

Richards with a 4.5 Kicker rating against Mainz. Tied for lowest on the team. Really overall he did OK, I thought. But, yeah, that early mistake was pretty tough. Glad he seemed to shake it off and didn't let it get to him.

 

Even the best defenders in the world make mistakes. It happens.

 

tcmember2 indicated that WhoScored still rated him as the best defensive player. Just goes to show you how different these rating can be. He had one terrible mistake but made up for it with a world class assist and then defended pretty well to boot down the stretch. I thought he bounced back pretty well from the error... I am sure he will get better... but I am even more positive that it won't be the last mistake he makes.

 

he really was fouled. good example of when a central defender needs to dive too

 

Fotmob had him at 6.8 against Mainz, which was middle of the other two defenders. However, he was the highest of any non-defender on Hoffenheim’s side. So, yeah, ask a couple soccer analysts for ratings and get three answers!

Soccer is a difficult game to quantify, which is part of why I love it.

 

Good example of why Bayern wants him out on loan. He’s got a ton of potential, but since he’s young he’s likely to make a couple of mistakes and they would rather he get that out of his system before returning to hold down their back line.

 

Now you should see the mistakes that the Bayern centerbacks had made this season.

 

Starts.

LINE-UP 🔥

First time in the starting eleven ➡️ @georgi_hrt 👋

Welcome back, #Akpo and Mijat 💪#FCATSG pic.twitter.com/3AffmhseM2

— TSG Hoffenheim EN (@tsghoffenheimEN) April 3, 2021

 

Yikes Hoffenheim down 2. Richards not directly at fault, but had a small part in the two goals scored.

On the first he played a ball into the middle that was hit quite hard which the guy had trouble controlling leading to a counter goal.

On the second he seemed gassed trying to catch the forward who was in on goal, although one of the other CBs was closer.

I think he’s less at fault than others for each goal.

 

Admittedly missed the 2 goals but since I’ve been watching I’d like him to be quicker with the ball and not going for negative back pass when the positive pass was on

 

Final roll of the dice for #TSG:@eastmamba leaves the pitch to be replaced by #Belfodil.

| 74' | ⚪ 2:0 🔵 | #FCATSG |

— TSG Hoffenheim EN (@tsghoffenheimEN) April 3, 2021

 

Vote for the rookie of the month

⚠ Gesucht: Der #BLRookie des Monats März ⚠

⚽ @doan_ritsu (@arminia)
⚽ Deyovaisio #Zeefuik (@HerthaBSC)
⚽ @eastmamba (@tsghoffenheim)

JETZT ABSTIMMEN ➡ https://t.co/FnefJrxhdp pic.twitter.com/auFFgpD8f6

— BUNDESLIGA (@Bundesliga_DE) April 6, 2021

https://rookie-award.com/

 

Awesome to see those great left-footed passes.

 

#WallpaperWednesday ➡️ 📲#TSG | @eastmamba pic.twitter.com/dsg8KH5Lnt

— TSG Hoffenheim EN (@tsghoffenheimEN) April 7, 2021

 

Hoffenheim would like to keep him:

Update Chris #Richards: Hoffenheim would like to extend the loan, but would prefer to sign him permanently. Rosen has signalled to Salihamidzic that he is willing to talk. TSG is totally satisfied with his development and appreciates him – athletically & personally. @SPORT1

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) April 8, 2021

 

i cant imagine bayern outright selling him for any amount hoffenheim would be willing to pay, so i guess that leaves us with a buyback option?

 

And yet, he is not good enough to surpass an MLS starter. SMH.

 

I wouldn’t mind if he stayed. There’s a better chance he continues to start into next season than if he stayed at Bayern.

CB along with GK and possibly forward are tough positions to excel at on a top 5 team (Bayern) at a young age. If he develops well enough at Hoffenheim over 2-3 years the top teams will come calling.

 

His left foot is what really makes him intriguing, imo.

 

I hope he makes a permanent transfer to Hoffenheim. It's a good level for him to develop at and Hoffenheim then has every incentive to play him and have him succeed.

 

I think it would be borderline, in a vacuum, on whether Bayern would want to keep him for the future or sell him to Hoffenheim for 10 million.

But remember, FCD has a huge sell-on, 40-50% iirc, that would likely dissuade any deal. In all likelihood he's returning to Bayern and riding out his contract, whether he's good enough or not.

If a club of note wanting to buy you is the sole criteria, then that would make Long look better, considering now EPL #4 West Ham wanted him, but he was deemed too valuable to Red Bulls, so the offer was rejected. And that was a present bet, not partially a future one like this would be. The NT is about present ability. SMH some people only care about technicalities & are never looking to win current competitions.

 

It bears repeating that FC Dallas holds a hefty sell-on %. So it'll cost Hoffenheim a lot more that usual to make it worth it for Bayern to sell.

 

Might be time to pass the collection plate - I'm sure we can work something out.

 

Is the Ives reported 40% more or less accurate?

 

matches what I heard