Chris Richards is back playing his natural position, and he looks set to stay there for the foreseeable future.
Richards has played center back his entire career, but started in defensive midfield for a stretch of Premier League matches earlier in the season.
But under new Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner, the U.S. international has returned to his natural position, starting four straight games at center back under the Austrian before suffering an injury last month.
Speaking to Palace’s website, Richards said he was happy to return to center back after being shifted around earlier in the season under Roy Hodgson.
“Centre of defense, preferably,” Richards said of his ideal position. “It was a lot of learning this year, playing right back, center back, center mid.
“[It was] a lot of positions that I’m not quite used to, but again, like I said, I’ll do whatever to be on the pitch and help us win. I think it’s been good to play in different positions because you learn a lot.
“We played against [Glasner’s] teams in Germany, so I think he remembers what my best position was.
“But coming in, we did have a small conversation, and he just kind of said that for the future he sees me playing center back. All the games I played for him have been at center back.”
Richards provides injury update
The USMNT defender has now missed three straight games with what he revealed to be a knee injury.
Speaking before last weekend’s match at Liverpool, the 24-year-old said he was targeting this Sunday’s game against West Ham for a potential return.
“I think frustrating would be a good word for it,” Richards said.
“I feel like I worked hard over the last two seasons that I’ve been here and I think I was finally reaping the benefit of that. It’s always nice playing games.
“I have a knee injury. Hopefully, what we’re aiming for is West Ham. I’m just kind of taking it day by day, hoping that it continues to heal and that’s what I’m aiming for, at least, is the West Ham game.”
Prior to his injury, Richards had gone the distance in 16 consecutive Premier League matches.
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