Quasi new signing for FC Bayern: Will a returnee close the gap in defense?

Created: 05/09/2022, 17:12

By: Antonio Jose Riether

Last summer, FC Bayern loaned out one of its young central defenders.

When he returns, he could strengthen the Munich problem area.

Munich – In the current season, the defense was probably Bayern's biggest weakness.

Niklas Süle is leaving Munich for Dortmund for the new season, so the club's management has been looking for a replacement for some time.

Now, with Chris Richards, a loan player with Bundesliga format is returning to the Isar - can he close the gap in defense?

FC Bayern: Salihamidzic puts himself behind his "very good" central defence

After the 2-2 draw against VfB Stuttgart, Hasan Salihamidzic was quite self-confident.

"In Lucas Hernández, Dayot Upamecano, Benjamin Pavard and Tanguy Nianzou we have four very good central defenders and I don't know of any team that has four such defenders in their ranks," said the sports director in the mixed zone of the Allianz Arena.

Another name will probably be added in the summer.

Chris Richards was loaned to TSG Hoffenheim for the second time at the end of August.

Under coach Sebastian Hoeneß, he developed into a regular player for the Kraichgauers, but two injuries threw him back in the second half.

In the current season, the 22-year-old has made 23 competitive appearances in which he has scored once and prepared one goal.

As Hoffenheim reported, the defender is now returning to Munich.

Chris Richards (left) could play for Bayern again next season.

© MIS/.imago-images

FC Bayern: Central defender Chris Richards returns from Hoffenheim

The American's farewell on Saturday was somewhat unfortunate, as he is currently in his home country for medical treatment.

Richards, who has meanwhile won six caps for the United States, paid a visit to his former club FC Dallas on his way home.

He owes his first loan to Germany in the summer of 2018 to the partnership between the MLS club and FC Bayern.

In January 2019, the Munich team took him to the U19s for 1.1 million euros and gave him a contract until 2025.

He played ten competitive games for Bayern between 2020 and 2021, while in the jersey he celebrated promotion from the regional league and the third division championship in the following year.

In the meantime, Richards has gotten used to the Bundesliga and has appeared on the pitch in 34 competitive games with TSG Hoffenheim during his two loans.

But will he be able to help Julian Nagelsmann immediately?

FC Bayern: Chris Richards returns in the summer – will he get a second chance?

This will probably show after the completed pre-season.

At the beginning of the current season, before Richards was loaned out again, Nagelsmann used the US boy twice.

Once Richards was allowed to play for 45 minutes in a 12-0 thrashing victory in the first round of the cup, and there was also a two-minute appearance in the league game against 1. FC Köln.

After strong performances in Hoffenheim, the coach could definitely give the internal and cost-effective solution a chance.

(ajr)