Ahead of Hoffenheim’s Europa League match, Bayern Munich prospect Chris Richards sat down with the Bundesliga for an open conversation

Bayern Munich defensive prospect Chris Richards is on loan at Hoffenheim, but that has not stopped the Alabama-native from opening eyes. Richards recently sat down with the Bundesliga as a part of its “Midweek Interview” series and touched on a number of topics.

The interview was provided to Bavarian Football Works courtesy of the Bundesliga, and we have some excerpts below from one of Bayern Munich’s brightest young players:

Photo by Simon Hofmann/Getty Images

Bundesliga: Having just gone on loan to Hoffenheim from FC Bayern a few weeks ago, what are your impressions?

Richards: “I feel good. I’ve played a few games and some important games, so it has been really good to get 90 minutes under my legs for a few weeks. It has been really nice.”

Bundesliga: A loan move to TSG to gain playing experience is how David Alaba and Serge Gnabry’s careers took off. Did that influence your decision?

Richards: “Yes, it definitely did. Growing up watching their story and hearing their experiences personally from them has really been inspirational for me. That was one of the reasons I decided to come here.”

Bundesliga: Why are more and more top American talents deciding to make the leap to the Bundesliga?

Richards: “I think it all started with Christian Pulisic. I think a lot of Americans saw that us Americans can be productive and successful here in Germany and I think after Christian, it allowed Bundesliga coaches and management to realize that the US has a lot of untapped potential and I think they are starting to use it now.”

Bundesliga: How do you see your role within Hoffenheim’s center of defense?

Richards: “It’s a big role of course as a defender, you never want to give up goals and you’re also kind of the pace-setter for the game in the defense. I like that challenge of being able to stop the other team’s usually best player.”

Bundesliga: TSG’s next (Bundesliga) match is against Union Berlin, before welcoming VfL Wolfsburg a week later. What are your expectations?

Richards: “Of course, we expect two really good teams. Wolfsburg is in really good form right now, that will be a tough game and Union Berlin play a really physical and fast type of game, so we are really looking forward to two tough games, but games we think we can win.”

Clearly, Richards will have plenty of quality matches to play throughout the rest of the season and this experience should be a great opportunity gain valuable Bundesliga experience for the 20-year-old.

(This excerpt was provided directly to Bavarian Football Works as a courtesy from the Bundesliga. The full interview will be published on Sunday February 28th on Bundesliga.com.)

If you want a deeper dive on Richards’ complete journey from youth soccer to his first experiences with Bayern Munich, check out our three-part feature from 2019.