Report: USMNT’s Chris Richards set for Crystal Palace transfer

USMNT center back Chris Richards has reportedly agreed personal terms with Crystal Palace, paving the way for a surprise move from Bayern Munich to the Premier League.

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The deal, which was reported by Sky Sports in Germany on Monday, is still dependent upon Crystal Palace and Bayern Munich agreeing a transfer fee for the 22-year-old defender.

As things stand, Richards would probably start the USMNT’s first game at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar alongside Walker Zimmerman, but his place in the first team is tenuous at best with Aaron Long re-inserting himself in the conversation during the June international window. Cameron Carter-Vickers will also draw consideration from Gregg Berhalter following a fantastic season for Celtic, prompting the Scottish Premiership champions to make his loan from Tottenham a permanent transfer.

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Chris Richards’ game should be wonderfully suited to the way Patrick Vieira wants his side to play. The Birmingham, Alabama, native is a well-rounded, ball-playing center back who’s comfortable playing the ball with either foot. That fact was probably key in Vieira’s desire to sign Richards, given Crystal Palace ranked in the top half of the Premier League in terms of possession during his first season in charge (50.8 percent, 10th-most).

Richards’ advanced numbers, via FBRef, reveal an above average center back on the ball and an underrated, proactive ball-winner who’s used to defending in space off of it (stats below are over the last 365 days among center backs in Europe’s top five leagues).

As a passer, Richards was a high-volume player for Hoffenheim. He