This is a concern. We can't use last season to figure out whether Richards can play, because Bayern played Hoffenheim in January 2021 right before they loaned him.
I am not sure if it is more/less common in the BL either. I would kind of be surprised if they put that stipulation on Richards' loan but you never know. I have looked for the info but can't find it.
Maybe I'm thinking where a transfer has been agreed to before the season ends and the two clubs involved wind up playing each other. I have definitely seen players in that situation and thought it a little strange.
Richards did play yesterday in a trouncing of FC Köln. He went in as an early sub to replace an injured guy...around the 36th minute or so. He looked pretty solid in the right back/winger position. Second half he went to one of the center back positions. I watched the game in the background so didn't see everything. But, Hoffenheim and Richards kept the clean sheet.
Solid performance. He does a good job of just making trouble go away when it gets to his area. Thought it was amusing that the announcers were surprised he hadn’t featured in the first two US games over the break. Guess they don’t read BS.
As others have pointed out, German teams don't tend to keep their loaned players from playing against them, and it sounds like Chris is planning on playing this weekend. I am in a WhatsApp group with Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davis and Omar Richards. We write back and forth a lot with other. But how do you say it so eloquently: as soon as the game starts, the friendship gets put on hold. "Ich bin in einer WhatsApp-Gruppe mit Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies und Omar Richards. Da schreiben wir sehr viel miteinander. Aber wie sagt man so schön: Sobald das Spiel beginnt, pausiert die Freundschaft."🗣️ @eastmamba#FCBTSG - ein ganz besonderes Spiel für Chris ⤵️— TSG Hoffenheim (@tsghoffenheim) October 20, 2021
Another "Derek Rae quotes from Kicker" thread: 1/ 🧵 ahead of Bayern-Hoffenheim (my Sat commentary game) for the world feed. Kicker quotes from #USMNT defender Chris Richards as he prepares to face his parent club. Richards says he wasn’t disappointed when Julian Nagelsmann decided not to build his squad with him. #FCBTSG— Derek Rae (@RaeComm) October 20, 2021
Starts 🔹 A-U-F-S-T-E-L-L-U-N-G 🔹So beginnen wir in München! #FCBTSG | #TSG pic.twitter.com/6WR5PQ0cDE— TSG Hoffenheim (@tsghoffenheim) October 23, 2021
Richards didn’t look stellar on Bayern’s first goal, unfortunately. A little too lackadaisical to close down the shot.
Second also. He seems tentative to do what he needs to do against his former teammates. He needs to develop a mean streak while playing. It's the final piece.
Not sure. He did well to slow down Mueller just now but couldn’t make the tackle. Mueller to the big Lebowski and goal number 2.
Got completely bossed on that second goal. Good learning experience to be marking Lewandowski all day while keeping an eye on Muller but he’s not putting this game in his highlight reel.
muller really smartly kept hold of richards arm and kept him off balance. definitely another smart move in a career overflowing with them.
Announcers were way harsh on him. I would hardly say he was "bossed" on the 2nd goal. He held off Mueller on a break away and only a tiny toe poke got it to Lewen who scored a 6% chancer from 25 yards out. I think he could have done better on the 1st goal... perhaps slide in to block... but that would have left the cutback wide open. Besides that... where was the help from the wingback? He got juked out of his shorts to leave Gnab wide open. At any rate... not his best game but nowhere near a terrible performance.... especially considering the opponent.
Yeah I already know he's good so these don't bother me as much. Every defender has days like this, esp against Bayern. Thought he did a pretty good job on the second goal IMO, he was probably the last man so he couldn't foul, and he slowed him up pretty well and probably thought the cavalry would come by the time Mueller was able to squirt the ball away, but alas.
Some Glossing over poor performance here… He was bad. It happens. But to say he wasn’t isnt telling the whole story.
Hoffenheim up 2-0 @ HT. Curiously, my ticker shows two own-goals, but both assisted (by Hoffenheim players).
I mean it was a foul as it gave Mueller an unfair advantage. Ref probably never saw it and would probably never call it anyways against Mueller. Chris had a fine game.
Richards went the full 90 in a 5-1 win over Holstein Kiel. Yes, Own Goal was the leading scorer for Hoffenheim, with 2.
definitely! but the sort of stuff muller knows how to do and get away with. not all dark arts are after the whistle