Chris Richards: Crystal Palace’s FA Cup win could help in retaining star men
BY MAX HALL
Crystal Palace’s US ace Chris Richards has said winning the club’s first FA Cup, and securing European football, could help keep any big-club vultures that are circling their best players at bay.
The American international put in a titanic defensive display as the Eagles stood firm in the face of opponents Manchester City’s 76.7 per cent possession on Saturday.
Despite hogging the ball more than any other FA Cup finalist in the 11 years that possession statistics have been recorded, City could not find a way through Palace’s red-and-blue wall and, when they did, goalkeeper Dean Henderson was on hand, literally, to save Omar Marmoush’s 36th-minute penalty.
By that stage, Palace attacker Eberechi Eze had capped a trademark counter-attack with a precision finish which proved enough to win the trophy and secure a place in next season’s Europa League.
That could prove decisive if players such as Eze catch the eye of the bigger clubs in football’s pecking order, according to Richards.
“Winning a title always makes a difference – and I think also being able to play in European competition could keep a few guys here,” said the former Bayern Munich central defender.
“We’re trying not to look too much towards next season but it maybe gives us a better chance of keeping some guys.”
In terms of the prospect of Europe, the defender, signed for €12 million from Bayern in July 2022, said: “We’re really excited for it. It’s another record for the club so we just want to keep making records for the club and keep winning titles.”
Despite playing 24 times for his national team, and having made five appearances for European giants Bayern, the Palace defender said the waves of Eagles fans at Wembley made for “the best atmosphere, I’ve experienced, by far.” He added: “At the hotel, we could hear all the fans outside and it was amazing. The fans deserve it. It’s important to win for the guys around you but it’s even better to do it for the people in the stands.”
Victory put the defender into an elite club of Americans who have lifted the trophy.
Richards said: “It was dope! Tim Howard [with Manchester United in 2004] and, I think, one other guy [Julian Sturgis, with Wanderers, in 1873] won it, so I think me and [Palace back-up goalkeeper] Matt Turner being a part of that very small group is an amazing feat. Hopefully we’ll have a few Americans after us to win it as well.”
While Palace manager Oliver Glasner, in another part of the stadium, was emphasising he wanted his players to stay focused for the final two games of the season – at home to Wolves tonight and at champions Liverpool on Sunday – former FC Dallas youth Richards hinted the squad may have had other ideas in the aftermath of victory at the weekend.
“Champagne, beer, you name it, we’re probably drinking it” he said of the dressing room party on Saturday, adding: “We’re still trying to figure out what’s going on tonight but we’ll be celebrating, probably, until Monday.”
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD
