- Crystal Palace defender reveals dressing room talk
- Final day clash could cause concern
- Looking ahead to Fiorentina
Chris Richards has had another superb campaign in central defence for Crystal Palace, improving week on week and becoming a real leader in the squad. His commitment and love for defending and keeping clean sheets have captured the imagination of the Palace faithful, who now know what to expect from the USA international.
Consistent performances defensively and two goals this season, Richards is enjoying his best campaign since his £10 million move from Bayern Munich back in Summer 2022.
One, the other, or both
With the Premier League table still incredibly tight, Palace have the opportunity to aim for a record finish. With a game in hand on everyone else in the league, aside from title-chasing Manchester City, Palace sit just five points from Brentford in 7th, the lowest guaranteed European spot in the Premier League this season.
In their maiden European campaign, Palace are awaiting the second leg of the quarter-final against Fiorentina, the Eagles leading the tie 3-0 on aggregate, with a strong chance to progress and even lift the trophy in May.
The question of whether Palace would prioritise the league or, more likely, the Conference League was asked in the media, but it turns out the same conversations were, in fact, being had in the dressing room amongst the players.
Speaking to Premier League predictions, via the club’s website, Richards confirmed that manager Oliver Glasner “had a conversation with us about whether we wanted to focus on one or the other.
“We all agreed we wanted to go for both. We have a second leg and then hopefully a semi-final afterwards. But again, we also want to climb up the table.”
This will be music to the ears of Palace fans, who will want to see fully focused attacking football whenever they watch their team play:
“We want to give our best every time we step out on the pitch. That’s exactly what we’re going to do.”
Richards explained how he enjoyed Palace’s 2-1 win over Newcastle, and hinted that the first leg against Fiorentina prepared them for the Toon’s pressing style.
“We’re very happy with the win, and I think when you score in the last minute, I think it also makes it a bit more fun.”
Whilst Palace fans will be looking forward to the remainder of the campaign with excitement, it’s worth noting that should Palace make it as far, the European Conference League final will be played just four days after Arsenal’s visit to Selhurst Park on the final day of the Premier League campaign, a game which could prove decisive in the title race.
All eyes on Florence
Palace are bookies’ favourites for the Conference league, and with the 3-0 lead they established at Selhurst Park, it will be vital that the players remain focused and don’t become complacent.
“We expect some tough games ahead, regardless of who we’re playing”, Richards explained.
“We won the first leg 3-0, and we know the second leg is going to be a tough one. They have a lot to play for, and again, for the rest of the season we have a lot to play for.”
“I’m just going to go 100% every game and hopefully come out with a lot more wins than anything else”, he finished.
This week will be another chance for Palace to make history, and the fans will be hoping, as Richards said, that the players give 100% and progress into the semi-finals.
