Bayern Munich or Hoffenheim? Chris Richards unsure on future plans

In an extensive interview with France Football, Bayern Munich defender Chris Richards talked through his loan, the differences between Bayern and Hoffenheim, the uncertainty surrounding his future, and much more.

Richards, who took accepted an assignment in Sinsheim for the second half of the season, showed he was not just first-team ready, but a starting XI stalwart during his time with Hoffenheim. The USMNT defender was able to talk through the similarities — and differences — between the clubs.

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“The two clubs are very well structured. In the end, Bayern is still Bayern. You have a kind of myth there, which has won tons of trophies and you feel it. There is a kind of intensity there all the time. On the pitch you play with players like (Robert) Lewandowski who expect nothing but perfection from the people around them. At TSG, things are slightly different. You have a group that grows every day, that knows that not everything will be perfect, but that by working hard the results will come,” Richards said.

Regarding his future, Richards does not know what is in store for next season — or at least he is not letting on. Hoffenheim has made it abundantly clear that they want the 21-year-old back with them in Sinsheim.

“I don’t know exactly yet what my short term future will be like, but what I can say is that Bayern is a fantastic club. But Hoffenheim is too, of course,” said Richards. “We’ll see. I think we can hope that everything will be settled in the coming weeks. There are details to be worked out. We just have to be a bit patient.”

Richards classified his loan with Hoffenheim as “close to perfect.”

“In Hoffenheim, I was able to play against top teams, to play two European matches,” Richards stated. “Playing games allowed me to progress. I think it was the perfect loan or close to perfect. I could have gone elsewhere and sit on the bench for six months. It was a really good decision.”

Richards is an immense talent and benefitted greatly from his time with Hoffenheim. With a logjam of defenders in Munich, could the Alabama native be headed back to Sinsheim for another stint?