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Chris Richards’ second loan move from FC Bayern München to TSG Hoffenheim looks to be a win-win-win situation for all involved, with the player and both clubs set to profit from the American’s spell in Sinsheim. In this interview, he shares his thoughts on the move, as well as on fellow countryman Joe Scally, a player who has started strongly at Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Why have you moved to TSG Hoffenheim on loan for a second time?
“Yeah, the culture that Hoffenheim has of developing players and also the brand of football they play. It’s something I’m really looking forward to playing with again. And also the guys and the staff around me, they were always very welcoming. So I want to repay not just them, but the Hoffenheim fans, with some good performances in the upcoming year.”
‘Hoffenheim or nowhere’ – was apparently your view when discussing loans from FC Bayern?
“Yeah, it was something like that. I have a really good connection with Hoffenheim – from the coaching staff to the players. I just kept in contact with everybody throughout the summer and once the season ended. They really made me feel wanted and welcome so I was ready to come back for sure.”
What makes Hoffenheim such a special club for you?
“I think their willingness to let young players play. Even though you need experience, they realise that the best experience is to play. So the brand of football really suits us young players and allows us to make mistakes and learn from it.”
What are your expectation from the coming season?
“We try to play. We don’t care if we’re playing the best team or the worst team. We like to keep it on the ground but then also play long when we need to. I think we’re a very dangerous team when we play our own game.”
What was it like moving from Munich to the small town of Hoffenheim?
“It’s a lot different than Munich, I’ll say that. It’s a very small place. But
Frankfurt is close enough and also Heidelberg is a really beautiful city. But like you said, Hoffenheim is a really small place. I guess it’s really quiet but that’s not always a bad thing. It’s a little different, not too much different. I think Birmingham has a little bit more things to do. But I don’t mind it here.”
How do you see your role as a centre back?
“I want to be able to keep shutouts every game because if we don’t get scored on then we have a good chance of winning the game or at least getting some points. I think that’s my main objective as a defender. But defenders, as you said, can also score goals so hopefully, I can get my head on the end of a few balls this year, score a few goals and hopefully lead the team to a few wins.”
You have been known to make some special slide tackles in the past. Do you enjoy these?
“I feel like it’s the adrenalin. Just to be able to get a really nice strong tackle but also let the attacker know you’re there. Just being physical with them – I love that feeling. It just gives me a lot of adrenaline.”
You spent your pre-season with FC Bayern. What was it like going up against Robert Lewandowski?
“Yeah, Lewandowski is exactly what you see on TV. He is a stone-cold finisher, his movements are pretty amazing and like I said, with both feet he’s really good. So I think he’s a player who makes the players around him better. If you give him any type of space, he’s going to more than likely put it in the back of the net.”
What is your view of Tyler Adams?
“Yeah, Tyler Adams is a workhorse. He’s a really funny, down-to-earth guy. Once he gets on the field, it’s like he only sees red. He’s ready to fight not just for his team but also for himself. He’s really valuable to his Leipzig team but also to us in the national team.”
What is your view of Gio Reyna?
“Yeah, of course, Gio Reyna also, he’s a really good goalscorer, he’s a good playmaker. You’ve seen at a young age how he broke into that Dortmund team and how he’s helped them win a lot of important games and helped them to some good finishes in the Bundesliga. I guess he’s a very
valuable player to that Dortmund team. He’s still growing, he’s only 18, 19 years old so he has a big future ahead of him.”
What is your view of Joe Scally and the US national team?
“Yeah, Joe Scally, also a really good player. Pretty much came out of nowhere. He and Gio Reyna used to play together in New York. I remember playing them when we were in the academy. To see him playing week in week out in the Bundesliga… it’s really cool to see how he came from New York and just started balling out this year. It’s looking like a really good future for our national team and it all started here in the
Bundesliga pretty much. I think that’s most of them. Because Josh Sargent is now at Norwich. I think that’s it for the most part.”
What are you expecting from your upcoming game against VfB Stuttgart?
“Yeah, we’re expecting a win. Of course, these derby games mean a little bit more. You never want to lose a derby game so hopefully, we bring our A-game on the weekend. And we show them that Hoffenheim deserves the win.”
What is your view on the development of football in America?
“I think with the World Cup coming in 2026, I think it’s a really big step and allowing football to become one of the most respected sports in America. Also, I think with us younger players playing here in Europe, people are starting to gain a little bit of knowledge on guys like us who are playing overseas. I think it helps younger kids to dream and I think it helps to inspire kids. I think definitely in a few years that football can become, if not the main sport, one of the main sports in the states.”
