Richards was hit with the injury bug last season but was highly praised in his two years and 34 games at Hoffenheim. Richards is hoping to land a starting spot and cement a place for himself on the USMNT World Cup squad later this year.

According to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Richards’ camp has okayed the deal now it’s up to Palace and Bayern Munich to reach an agreement on a transfer fee. Richards would be the latest high profile American to move clubs during the summer.

Chris Richards market value

According to Transfermarkt, Richards has a market value of $7.6 million, but given his good performances while on loan and the length of his contract with Bayern Munich, the transfer should be at least within the $10- 12 million range.

Richards has 8 caps with the USMNT and played 2 games for Gregg Berhalter’s side in 2022. During his three seasons at Bayern Munich as a young prospect Richards played 10 games for the German giants.

If Richards does move it would mark the fourth American heading to the Premier League with the recent transfers of Tyler Adams, Brenden Aaronson, and Matt Turner.

Now according to BILD, Richards’ future at Bayern Munich is what could be changing as the German giants are open to selling the player in the summer. Bayern is set to bring in defenders during the summer, the biggest name being Antonio Rüdiger, currently at Chelsea.

With opportunities thin and a World Cup looming Richards is hoping to find a permanent home, which could still be 1899 Hoffenheim, Richards has a market value of around $12 million.

Chris Richards injury update

Chris Richards has been out of action the last 5 games for his club but is expected to return after the March international window. “I’m assuming that he will be fully operational after the international break at the latest and will then be a factor for me for the rest of the season”, Hoffenheim manager Sebastian Hoeness said in a press conference on Thursday.

Richards was a part of the FC Dallas youth set up before moving to Germany and playing in Bayern Munich’s youth teams. Richards only played 5 games at Bayern, to good reviews, before being shipped out on loan twice. Richards current Bayern deal ends in 2025, which makes a transfer more than likely.

This season a record 12 USMNT players will be a part of the UEFA Champions League group stage. Last season Christian Pulisic became the second American to win European Soccer’s biggest club prize. Now players like Gio Reyna, Weston McKennie, and Sergiño Dest will want to continue to make history by becoming the third American to do so.

Gregg Berhalter can’t complain, he has some of his most important players playing at the highest level. This season the UEFA Champions League will be exciting to watch as fans will return to the stadiums, now with 12 USMNT players it gets even more interesting. Here is the list of all 12 USMNT players in the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League.

Brenden Aaronson

Brenden Aaronson will be commanding the midfield for Red Bull Salzburg, in his short time there Aaronson has already established himself as one of the club’s better players. The Austrian team will look to at least get to the next round, but a good group showing could help Aaronson land a transfer to a bigger league.

Tyler Adams

Already a Champions League veteran Tyler Adams is back at the big stage with RB Leipzig of Germany. Adams has the skill and the talent to play at this level, the question is can he stay healthy for a whole season.

John Brooks

The USMNT defender gets a crack at Champions League action with Wolfsburg of Germany. John Brooks is entering his fifth season with the club and is one of the best defenders of the Bundesliga.

Sergiño Dest

Sergiño Dest had a lot of growing pains last season at Barcelona, this season is an opportunity to show that he has the talent and the perseverance to maintain a starting spot at Barcelona. Barcelona will be without Messi, and while the club has seen better days, Dest can still shine if he corrects some of the issues that plagued him last season.

Weston McKennie

Weston McKennie was a bright spot for Juventus last season, now in his second season what kind of role will he have? That question will be answered by Massimiliano Allegri. McKennie can play at this level no question, hopefully Allegri will find a spot for the box-to-box midfielder.

Owen Otasowie

Owen Otasowie recently signed with Club Brugge of Belgium after playing just 6 games with Wolverhampton Wanderers. At 20, Otasowie seems to have a good future ahead of him, but if he wants to crack the USMNT, getting a starting spot at Brugge and good Champions League outings will be essential.

Jordan Siebatcheu

After a great season with Young Boys on loan last season and a big goal against Honduras in the Nations League semifinal, Jordan Siebatcheu is already off to a fast start this seasonwith 2 goals in 3 games in Switzerland.

Christian Pulisic

Last season’s Champions League winner, Christian Pulisic wants to continue to show why he is the USMNT poster boy. Pulisic already scored a goal in his first game of the Premier League season and will want to hold down a starting spot for Chelsea this season.

Gio Reyna

Gio Reyna had an up and down season at Dortmund last year but showed his capacity to win his starting spot back last season, while showing the talents that have him pegged as one of the best young prospects in the world. Reyna will look for this season to be his official coming out party.

Chris Richards

Chris Richards will be in the Bayern Munich squad this season, just how much he will play will depend on many factors, nonetheless it will be a season of invaluable experience.

Zack Steffen

Zack Steffen is Manchester City’s back up goalkeeper, hopefully Guardiola will give Zack some Champions League minutes. Steffen’s chances of playing are slim unless an injury occurs.

Tim Weah

The French champion will be able to showcase his skill in the Champions League, like his father before him. Tim Weah is often used as a bench option and his goal will be to be a consistent starter for Lille.

Germany has always been home to many great Americans from Kasey Keller, Claudio Reyna, and Landon Donovan. Now a new crop of players will continue to excite fans in the U.S. playing in the tough German league.

Fans can watch the Bundesliga on ESPN and the ESPN platforms and there are 7 USMNT players that will start the season in Germany with another arriving in 2022. Here is the list of USMNT players in the German Bundesliga for the 2021/22 season.

Giovanni Reyna

Giovanni Reyna is back for another season at Borussia Dortmund, the talented midfielder had the growing pains of a few ups and downs last season but has been given the number 7 shirt this season. Reyna is a long-term project at Dortmund and after some mid-season hiccups, he finished the season strong. Since 2020, Reyna has 4 goals in 47 games and won one German Cup.

Timothy Chandler

Hey USMNT fans, remember Timothy Chandler? The guy who only wanted to play for the USMNT when it was World Cup time. Well Chandler is still playing in Germany for Eintracht Frankfurt, having played well over 100 games. At 31 Chandler could still be of some use to the USMNT program if he can change his attitude.

Julian Green

A lot of eyes this season will be on Julian Green, the former Bayern Munich prodigy who went to Greuther Fürth to kick start his career in 2017 and is one of the best players on the team. Finally getting to the topflight of German soccer, Green will look to make a point that he can hold his own in the big leagues and finally get back on with the USMNT.

Tyler Adams

Tyler Adams is a talented player, but can he stay healthy for a full season that is the question. Red Bull Leipzig will have a familiar face on the bench coaching Adams, Jesse Marsch and another American in Caden Clark will make his way over at the start of 2022. Adams will hopefully flourish under Marsch and play a full season.

Joe Scally

Former NYCFC player Joe Scally is on the Borussia Mönchengladbach roster, the 18-year-old will get his feet wet in the big leagues and will most likely be loaned out or play a few minutes here and there.

Chris Richards

Chris Richards had a very good loan spell at 1899 Hoffenheim last year and will look to break into a very competitive Bayern Munich squad. Another loan is not out of the question, but it would be nice to see Richards getting first team minutes at Bayern.

John Brooks

The big man at the back, John Brooks is back for VFL Wolfburg playing in his fifth season. Brooks will be a leader at the back and last year was one of his best years. As steady as they come Brooks is one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga.

In a unique case, there are even three American players in one Champions League group. Not only are there American players but also American coaches as Jesse Marsch will coach in his second consecutive Champions League.

A total of tenUSMNT players will suit up for Champions League action this season and one coach will be on the sidelines, we have the list of each American player and their possibilities to play in European soccer’s top cup competition.

USMNT Players in Champions League Squads

Group A

Chris Richards – Bayern Munich

Richards is coming along slowly for the current champions and will look to get meaningful minutes during the year. The fact that he is on the squad can only help his development. His chances of playing are slim at least for now.

Jesse Marsch coaches Red Bull Salzburg

In his second season with the club,Marsch will coach in his second consecutive Champions League. If he can get out of the group, it will be a huge victory for the Austrian side.

Group C

Zack Steffen – Manchester City

Steffen has already played in a few cup games for Man City this season, and while he is not the starter, don’t be surprised if he gets some minutes in the Champions League group stage.

Group D

Alex Méndez – Ajax

Alex Méndezhas only recently been promoted to the Ajax senior side and will be in the mix as a rotation player most likely.Méndez is a USMNT youth international who moved to Ajax in 2019, he played in the youth systems of the L.A. Galaxy in MLS andSC Freiburg of Germany before making a move to the Netherlands.

Group E

Christian Pulisic – Chelsea

Pulisic is no stranger to this stage having played for Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea already. This season many pundits have noted that Pulisic will have a breakout year, he is wearing the number 10 jersey at Chelsea and will be a key player in their title hopes.

Group F

Gio Reyna – BorussiaDortmund

Like Pulisic, Reyna is coming on strong for Borussia Dortmund, this will only add to the experience he has gained, and it could be a coming-out party for Gio Reyna at such a high level.

Ethan Horvath – Club Brugge

Life has been pretty dull for Horvath at Brugge, he lost both his starting spot on the teamandhe has fallen out of favor with the USMNT. His chances of playing are slim unless he regains his starting spot.

Group G

Weston McKennie – Juventus

McKennie as of right now is starting at Juventus and will most likely be rotating in the midfield as the schedule picks up for the Italian champions. No question about it, McKennie will play a role forJuve this season.

Konrad De la fuente – Barcelona

Konrad, as he is going by at Barcelona, is at the moment a squad player and his chances ofplaying are slim, but he might come in if a player gets injured.

Sergiño Dest – Barcelona

Dest recently signed with Barcelona, but it looks like he will be a key player for the team during the season. He will be at the right-backpositionfor the team as Barcelona look to reclaim the Champions League this season.

Group H

Tyler Adams – RB Leipzig

Adams also has experience in the Champions League and scored a goal against Atlético Madrid last season. He will be a central piece for Leipzig again this season.

It’s hard not to argue that the U.S. has talent in every position, and this will make Gregg Berhalter’s job a bit easier knowing his top talents are playing meaningful minutes in these competitive leagues. Players like Duane Holmes and Julian Green may be in the second divisions, but can also be used as good role players when called upon.

Fielding a starting 11 is always hard, especially when you have options in each position. Some players will be left out, but there are 11 key players in Europe the USMNT hope continueto develop and lead the team back to the 2022 World Cup.

USMNT European Starting 11

Goalkeeper – Zack Steffen – Manchester City

While Zack Steffen is not starting at Manchester City, he has already played in a cup game and the day in and day out training for a top club make it hard to argue there is another goalkeeper ahead of him in the pool.

Right Back – Reggie Cannon – Boavista

Reggie Cannon was already one of the best right-backs in MLS when he was sold to Boavista in Portugal, since his arrival, he has started every game and will be one of the main options for the U.S. Defense.

Defender – John Brooks – Wolfsburg

Brooks has been in the Bundesliga since the start of his career, the 2014 World Cup hero is entering the prime of his career. He has been a bit inconsistent when playing for the U.S. buthis performances in league play have been very good.

Defender – Chris Richards – Bayern Munich

Chris Richards has yet to claim a place in the Bayern first team, but coach Hans-Dieter Flick has praised him and has inserted him in some games. If he can continue to develop, he will challenge for a starting spot.

Left Back – Sergiño Dest – Barcelona

Sergiño Dest has had a rollercoaster ride to the top of European soccer. In oneyear he started playing for Ajax, got his first USMNT cap, and is set for a record move to Barcelona. Dest has shown his talent and is considered one of world soccer’s best young prospects.

Midfielder – Tim Weah – Lille

The multipurpose midfielder is coming back from injury and has shown flashes of what he can do at Celtic and PSG. He will need to stay healthy, but Weah has the energy and talent to be a key figure for the USMNT.

Midfielder – Weston McKennie – Juventus

Since his move to Juventus, Weston McKennie has only added to his rising stock. He was one of FC Schalke 04 best players last season and already has received positive marks in Italy. He is one of the new leaders of the U.S. team.

Midfielder – Tyler Adams – R. B. Leipzig

Adams is one of the U.S. most consistent European based players, he has grown in each season since his move to Germany. The key is for Adams is to avoid injury, despite some amazing performances his seasons are cut short due to injury.

Midfielder – Christian Pulisic – Chelsea

The new Landon Donovan, the man who everyone will look too to lead the squad. Pulisic is yet to debut this season, butlast year he was the best player for Chelsea, that can’t be argued. He completely dominated in a game against Liverpool and scored some amazing goals. The hopes of the USMNT rest on Pulisic.

Midfielder – Gio Reyna – Borussia Dortmund

Like his father before him, Reyna looks set to be the new USMNT set up man. His quick passing and field vision will look to open up spaces for speedsters Pulisic and Weah. Reyna started his season strong as he looks to break out for Dortmund.

Forward – Josh Sargent – Werder Bremen

The USMNT weakest position by far is forward. Sargent is young, but he plays on a dreadful Bremen side. With little options besides Sargent, the U.S. will hope that he finally starts scoring for his club. At the national team level, Sargent does have 5 goals in 12 games.

When you throw in established names like John Brooks, Julian Green, Tim Ream, and Zack Steffen the US team seems to steadily be gaining in players experienced at playing at the highest level. Something many pundits have been calling for, especiallyconsidering the US team did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup and missed one of the nation’s biggest opportunities to grow the sport domestically.

This article will review those US players who have taken the right steps in their careers in Europe. Some players might be at different stages in their careers, mostly young up and coming, but each step in the right direction is a step in the right direction for the United States national team. All of these players will feature at some point in the qualification process so it is important to keep in mind that some players have a whole career ahead of them, while others have what’s coming and need to capitalize on it. What is important to note is that all of these players have hit milestones for Americans in Europe.

Tim Ream

Tim Ream has been abroad for several years now moving from the New York Red Bulls to Bolton Wanderers back in 2012. Since 2015 he has been at Fulham and has spent most of his time there in the Championship, save for one season in the Premier League where Fulham was quickly relegated. Come 2020 Ream helped Fulham earn promotion back to the EPL and at 32 with all his experience Ream will look to play at the highest level and earn a place in the United States team which has been on again off again for him.

Julian Green

Julian Green came out of left field back in 2014. He was at Bayern Munich and made a huge splash in the 2014 World Cup scoring a goal against Belgium in the USA’s 2-1 round of 16 defeat in Brazil. Since then Green’s career took a wrong turn going from future promise to 2. Bundesliga player. Well, it has been at the 2. Bundesliga and at Greuther Fürth Green’s career has had a revival with two very solid seasons where he scored 8 goals in 51 games. His playhas fans of the US calling for him to get another chance with the US national team. Dubbed by many a Klinsmann project Gregg Berhalter has been hesitant to give him another look but his play at the club level may leave the national team coach no choice. Green has proven a very good utility player for the US when called upon.

Chris Richards

Chris Richards made his Bayern Munich debut on June 20, 2020, in a 3–1 victory against Freiburg, becoming the first American to play for the German giants. At 20 Richards will most likely have a difficult time earning playing time in an already stacked Bayern squad but if he can get promising first-team minutes Richards will finally be able to solve the long-lasting question if the US national team can produce a world-class defender. Richards has been in the Bayern youth system since 2018 and coaches are very high on him. He will have to put in the work but getting playing time is key and he ended the season doing just that.

Konrad de la Fuente

Konrad de la Fuente has been on the fan’s radar for quite some time now. It’s hard not to, how often does an American soccer player have the chance to play for Barcelona? While Konrad has yet to make his first-team debut he has been in match squads during the end of the La Liga season as well as being on the Champions League roster, becoming the first American to ever be named on a Barcelona squad. With Barcelona going through a transitional period it might be a good spot for de la Fuente to finally crack some playing time at Barcelona.

Giovanni Reyna

Giovanni Reyna on the other hand is yet another youth project that Borussia Dortmund has undertaken. Gio Reyna has featured in 15 games for Dortmund in his debut season and surprised many with his passing ability and patience on the ball. The son of former US national team star Claudio Reyna, Giovanni has the red, white, and blue tattooed in his blood. Playing meaningful minutes like he did this season and scoring two goals already in preseason will put him in a good sport to truly claim his place in the starting 11 at Dortmund next season.

Weston McKennie

Weston McKennie has established himself as a very solid player for Schalke 04. After four seasons and 75 games and 4 goals, McKennie’s good play has left him at a crossroads. Continue playing for a struggling Schalke side, one in which he was the only player to score for the team consistently for a stretch of games this season, or make a move and get out of his comfort zone. He has various suitors in Germany, England, and France. Like many American’s who make moves, he will need to find the right fit as he will command a hefty transfer for an American player.

Tyler Adams

Tyler Adams became the second American to ever play a Champions League semi-final, the first being DaMarcus Beasley when he was at PSV. Adams’s talent comes with no question he has been one of RB Leipzig’s best players when healthy. That has been the key, he has found himself in and out of the lineup due to minor injuries he has yet to play a full season healthy. Scoring goals in clutch Champions League games will keep him in the conversation. He needs to stay healthy and get a full season under his belt.

Christian Pulisic

Christian Pulisic needs no introduction. He has had a stellar first season at Chelsea. Like Adams, he had some nagging injuries but he hit many milestones while at the club: He became the first American to score in the FA Cup final as well as scoring the most Premier League goals for a 20-year-old in one season. He is also the youngest player at Chelsea to ever score a hat-trick. So despite being benched in the early going of the season Pulisic has proven his worth. It’s safe to assume he will be the centerpiece of the US national team’s hopes come CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying.