The 20-year-old American defender joined Sebastian Hoeness’ Hoffenheim on loan in the January transfer window, still playing three times in the Bundesliga and the Europa League.
Alaba and Gnabry’s success influenced Richard’s decision to move to Munich
Chris Richards wants to follow in the footsteps of David Alaba and Serge Gnabry, using his loan at Hoffenheim as a springboard for success at Bayern Munich. The 20-year-old American defender joined Sebastian Hoeness’ Hoffenheim on loan in the January transfer window, still playing three times in the Bundesliga and the Europa League. Alaba, who is coming to the end of his multi-year stint in Munich, proved his worth in the Bundesliga on loan at Hoffenheim in 2011, while winger Gnabry enjoyed a productive period there in 2017-18. When asked if the couple’s success influenced his decision to move there, Richards told reporters: “Yes, it is. Growing up, watching their history and personally hearing from them inspired me. That was one of the reasons why I decided to come here.”
Americans can be productive and successful in Germany
“I feel good. I played a few games and a few important games, so it was perfect for getting 90 minutes under my legs in a few weeks. It was very nice.” Richards is now far from the only USMNT representative in the Bundesliga. Giovanni Reyna, Tyler Adams, John Brooks, Josh Sargent and Schalke’s rising star Matthew Hoppe are just a small sample. Richards believes German clubs have recognised the untapped level of talent in American football. “I think it all started with Christian Pulisic,” he added. “I think a lot of Americans have seen that we Americans can be productive and successful here in Germany. And I think after Christian, this has allowed the Bundesliga coaches and leaders to understand that the United States has a lot of untapped potentials and I think that they are starting to use it now.”
“It is exactly this fight we have in us Americans. We always want to be the hardest working people. We want to show people they always count on us out early, especially in football. Not only me but all the new generation of footballers that we have, we are turning the tide in that perception of us.”