Crystal Palace FC's first-ever major European adventure is underway, as we battle to win the UEFA Conference League. Find out how you can join us on our journey.

European Tour

## Born in the USA

> After a remarkable two-year journey from Alabama to Bayern Munich, Chris Richards fulfilled a lifelong dream when he moved to the Premier League with Crystal Palace in 2022.

Born in Alabama, USA, Richards began his career near Houston before joining F.C. Dallas’ Academy and earning a professional contract there.

He moved to Houston and then Dallas aged 16 – both over 600 miles from his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, where his parents still live – and initially lived alone with a host family. He then made the even larger jump of joining Bayern Munich aged 18, where he learnt fluent German and made his senior debut shortly after signing.

From here Richards’ rise was swift: he made his senior debut in a friendly against Paris Saint-Germain in 2018, his professional debut with Bayern Munich II in 2019, and his full Bayern debut in June 2020. A few months later he featured as a substitute in the German side’s DFL-Supercup win over Borussia Dortmund.

The young defender went on to represent Bayern in the Bundesliga and Champions League before joining 1899 Hoffenheim on loan in 2021. He has played a total of 82 professional matches.

Richards began his international career early, too, competing with the US Under-20s to win the CONCACAF U20 Championship aged 18. His performances at this level earned him a senior debut in November 2020, coming on as a substitute against Panama. Richards has since amassed seven further caps.

He made his debut for the Eagles at Anfield as a second-half substitute in August 2022. Richards went on to make his first start for the club, after a leg injury, in January 2023 in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Selhurst Park.

Commenting on his first start he said: “It was worth the wait! Being able to make it \[my first Premier League start\] at home, especially in a game like tonight, was amazing."

His performances against Manchester United home and away, along with keeping a clean sheet against Newcastle United, saw him win the club's Player of the Month award in January 2023.

Richards' first domestic season in red and blue ended with 10 appearances in total, however he also managed to score his first international goal in the final of the CONCACAF Nations League against Canada to guide the United States to a 2-0 win.

The 2023/24 campaign saw Richards establish more of a place in the side, playing multiple roles as a centre-back, defensive midfielder and even as a right-back. He racked up 30 appearances in total, and scored his first goal against Burnley in a 3-0 win at Selhurst Park in February 2024.

Richards also found CONCACAF Nations League success once more, winning the title again in a 2-0 win over Mexico in March 2024. He was also recognised for his exceptional work with the Palace for Life Foundation - winning the PFA Community Champion award.

In 2024/25, Richards made 32 appearances across all competitions - six of which were in the FA Cup, where he played every single minute on the way to making history in the final against Manchester City.

2020

IFFHS Men's World Youth Team

January 2023

Crystal Palace Player of the Month

2023/24

PFA Community Champion

Richards

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CPFC x SunExpress aircraft livery

Chris Richards Previews Fulham

The best of our Defenders | Brighton (H)

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Match Highlights: Crystal Palace 1-1 Millwall

The Full 90: Crystal Palace v Millwall | Palace TV+

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Fiorentina

UEFA Conference League

Crystal Palace

Selhurst Park

Get ready for Europe!

A European quarter-final at Selhurst Park – a massive matchday awaits. Follow the best of our matchday photos from the first leg of Crystal Palace against Fiorentina, as they come in, in our gallery below!

Live Gallery: A massive matchday at Selhurst Park

The Eagles made history in Cyprus three weeks ago today, winning out 2-1 in extra-time to become the first English debutants in Europe to reach the quarter-finals of a continental competition since 1979.

That result set up a tie with Serie A side Fiorentina – who have reached two finals and one semi-final across the Conference League’s three seasons – and Glasner has elected to make three changes to his starting XI for the first leg in SE25 tonight.

Captain **Dean Henderson**, ill for the win in Cyprus, returns between the posts, with Walter Benítez among the substitutes tonight.

Another injured absentee that night, **Daniel Muñoz**, returns at right wing-back following the international break, in place of Brennan Johnson.

Up front, meanwhile, Jørgen Strand Larsen is suspended due to accumulation of yellow cards (with three required to trigger a one-match suspension) – meaning **Jean-Philippe Mateta** makes his first Palace start since 25th January against Chelsea.

According to competition rules, three of Palace’s starting side – Jaydee Canvot, Maxence Lacroix and Adam Wharton – could be suspended for next week’s second leg in Florence, should they pick up a booking tonight.

All yellow cards expire on completion of the quarter-finals, and are not carried forward to the semi-finals.

Palace are the fifth English side to reach this stage of the Conference League – following Leicester City, West Ham United, Aston Villa and Chelsea – with all four previous teams having gone on to win their respective ties.

**Fiorentina** make two changes to the starting XI which scraped a 1-0 win – albeit with 10 men – away at Verona on Saturday.

**Roberto Piccoli** – who has three goals in eight Conference League games so far this season – replaces injured top scorer Moise Kean up front, whilst defender **Dodô** comes into the back line in place of Pietro Comuzzo, who drops to the bench.

The Italian side do possess a formidable historical record in this competition, however – in the Round of 16, *La Viola* became the first club to play 50 matches in the Conference League, and they have lost just four of their 22 European quarter-final ties overall.

**Palace:** Henderson (GK), Richards, Lacroix, Canvot, Muñoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell, Sarr, Guessand, Mateta.

**Subs:** Benítez (GK), Matthews (GK), Riad, Clyne, Sosa, Cardines, Hughes, Lerma, Devenny, Pino, Johnson.

**Fiorentina:** De Gea (GK), Dodô, Pongračić, Ranieri, Gosens, Fabbian, Fagioli, Ndour, Harrison, Piccoli, Gudmundsson.

**Subs**: Leonardelli (GK), Christensen (GK), Comuzzo, Fazzini, Kospo, Mandragora, Kouadio, Braschi, Balbo, Deli, Puzzoli.

Oliver Glasner has made three changes to Crystal Palace's starting XI for the UEFA Conference League quarter-final first leg against Fiorentina at Selhurst Park.

Team News: Three changes for European quarter-final at Selhurst

Follow live from Selhurst Park

Live Gallery: A massive matchday at Selhurst Park

Team News: Three changes for European quarter-final at Selhurst

Get ready for Europe!

26Chris
Richards

Follow live from Selhurst Park

Live Gallery: A massive matchday at Selhurst Park

Team News: Three changes for European quarter-final at Selhurst

Get ready for Europe!

26ChrisRichards

26Chris
Richards