This season has been a rollercoaster for Crystal Palace with ups and downs but there’s one player who’s shone bright on a consistent basis.
Crystal Palace have had a weird season, with injuries, managerial changes and inconsistent performances all playing a role.
But amid all of this, Chris Richards has quietly had an excellent season, establishing himself in the starting line-up and excelling in multiple positions.
So with his displays impressive and the fact Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze have both struggled to keep fit, the USA international could be in the running for POTY.
Let’s take a look at his season so far and how he stacks up against other possible contenders…
- READ MORE: Who is Michael Olise? The Crystal Palace wonderkid that Chelsea, Arsenal and Man City missed
Chris Richards deserves to be in POTY contention
Signed in 2022 for a fee of £8m from Bayern Munich, Richards only made 10 appearances in his first campaign but this season he’s already made 21 across all competitions.
In the Premier League, he’s made 19 and has been a standout in several of these games, impressing against Luton, Spurs and Burnley recently.
He’s managed to benefit the club, slotting into whatever gap needed filling over the course of the season, ranging from right-back to midfield and more recently in his natural centre-half position.
Since Glasner arrived and moved the club to a three-at-the-back system, he’s been immense and is a player the Austrian likely envisions being there long term.
He may not have been the most impactful with Olise and Eze effectively winning games on their own, but have missed far too many to justify being the club’s POTY.
So Richards could be in with a chance simply for his role in seeing Palace through an awful period.
Who else is in with a chance of winning Crystal Palace POTY award?
The favourites will remain one of Eze or Olise given how incredible they both are, but there are probably more deserving players who’ve been vital this season.
Jefferson Lerma is one who’s been incredible this season and stands a massive chance at winning the award during his first year at Selhurst Park.
Another is Jordan Ayew who has been really solid in the absence of the two main men. Four goals and six assists this season should put Ayew right in the conversation.
Joachim Andersen is the last name we’d put forward as a possibility as he’s been solid for the majority of this season, despite some below-par performances lately.
