Club Brugge wants to pull a big deal at the last minute

The Belgian transfer market is still open for a few days, and Club Brugge therefore still has opportunities to conclude deals with clubs in major European competitions, where solutions for redundant players are still being sought.

Chris Richards (Crystal Palace) is one of those players who is surplus to requirements in the Premier League, but has the qualities and potential to play in the bigger European competitions. Club Brugge wants to include him in the club.

Looking for last minute deals

Club Brugge has been searching for a new left defender for a month and a half. Signing defensive reinforcements is essential for Ronny Deila’s side, as became abundantly clear in their UEFA Conference League second leg against Osasuna.

“Another thought: Hopefully the club will make big steps defensively, or find Vincent Manert a new defender. It is necessary, because it has been through the eye of a needle.” The newspaper.

In recent days, several names have been mentioned as potential reinforcements, including Maxime Esteve (Montpellier HSC), Izac Touré (Olympique Marseille, left for Lorient FC), Pascal Struijk (Leeds United), and Koki Machida (Union SG). .

Belgian clubs still have a few days to make their next transfer, but in Europe’s biggest competitions, the transfer market is irreversibly closed. Club Brugge still has opportunities to conclude deals with clubs in major European competitions, as solutions for redundant players are still being sought.

Richards is redundant at Crystal Palace

The newspaper Club Brugge are reportedly eyeing a potential last-minute signing in the final days of the summer transfer market.

Crystal Palace’s Chris Richards (23) has been mentioned as a potential reinforcement for Blue Zwart, and according to the newspaper, the American defender is high on Club Brugge’s wish list.

If the transfer goes ahead, it will be a season-long loan deal, and it remains unclear whether or not a purchase option will be included.

Then still defensive reinforcement? American defender Chris Richards (Crystal Palace) in the photo against Club Brugge https://t.co/gVvE4Ffabx pic.twitter.com/SBs00p1B2S

– Nieuwsbladsport (@nieuwsbladsport) September 2, 2023

What is certain is that Richards currently finds himself sidelined at Crystal Palace. The English club signed him for 12 million euros from Bayern Munich last season.

The 23-year-old American started well at Selhurst Park, but is out of the picture due to a long-term injury. Last season, he played just 442 minutes in total for Crystal Palace, and this season he has not played a single minute in the league for Roy Hodgson’s side.

He failed to find another club in major European competitions before the English transfer market closed.

Jerome Boateng type

Club Brugge has the opportunity to make a deal by signing Chris Richards, given his intrinsic qualities and potential. At 23 years old, the powerful defender still has plenty of room to grow and develop, and his market value is already estimated at €10 million.

Richards, who has made 10 appearances for the US national team, has been compared to Jerome Boateng by the Bundesliga’s official website due to his impressive height of 1.88 meters and his ability to read the game.

Chris Richards starts for Crystal Palace in Carabao Cup match against Plymouth Argyle 👀 pic.twitter.com/ioocaFXwat

– USMNT Only (@usmntonly) August 29, 2023

Although Richards does not have the same accuracy as Boateng when serving long balls, he has other strengths. Richards is known for his pace and powerful tackles, qualities he demonstrated in last season’s league match against Manchester United.

He completely neutralized Anthony, his direct opponent, through his impeccable timing, positioning, ball control and determination. With this excellent performance, the 23-year-old defender proved that his €12 million transfer fee was certainly justified.

Therefore, Club Brugge can bring in a player with great potential and quality for an attractive price.

A player in the major European leagues

“He is a strong defender who loves to defend and is particularly strong in one-on-one situations. He is very comfortable on the ball,” former Crystal Palace coach Patrick Vieira said of Chris Richards last season.

Club chairman Steve Parish described Richards as an “extremely talented footballer” who possesses all the qualities that would make him a fan favorite at Palace.

The athlete Praising him as one of the most “coachable” players, a powerful athlete with excellent passing, strong in the air and versatile.

At his core, Richards is a player who belongs in the Premier League or the clubs of Europe’s biggest leagues. However, he is currently absent from Roy Hodgson’s squad due to his injuries last season.

Club Brugge could therefore benefit greatly from the opportunity to move Richards away from Crystal Palace, but the West Flemish public must hope that the English club are willing to cooperate in his departure.

Time is running out, because Club Brugge must submit its list of European players to UEFA on Monday.