Crystal Palace FC's first-ever major European adventure is underway, as we battle to win the UEFA Conference League. Find out how you can join us on our journey.

European Tour

## Born in the USA

> After a remarkable two-year journey from Alabama to Bayern Munich, Chris Richards fulfilled a lifelong dream when he moved to the Premier League with Crystal Palace in 2022.

Born in Alabama, USA, Richards began his career near Houston before joining F.C. Dallas’ Academy and earning a professional contract there.

He moved to Houston and then Dallas aged 16 – both over 600 miles from his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, where his parents still live – and initially lived alone with a host family. He then made the even larger jump of joining Bayern Munich aged 18, where he learnt fluent German and made his senior debut shortly after signing.

From here Richards’ rise was swift: he made his senior debut in a friendly against Paris Saint-Germain in 2018, his professional debut with Bayern Munich II in 2019, and his full Bayern debut in June 2020. A few months later he featured as a substitute in the German side’s DFL-Supercup win over Borussia Dortmund.

The young defender went on to represent Bayern in the Bundesliga and Champions League before joining 1899 Hoffenheim on loan in 2021. He has played a total of 82 professional matches.

Richards began his international career early, too, competing with the US Under-20s to win the CONCACAF U20 Championship aged 18. His performances at this level earned him a senior debut in November 2020, coming on as a substitute against Panama. Richards has since amassed seven further caps.

He made his debut for the Eagles at Anfield as a second-half substitute in August 2022. Richards went on to make his first start for the club, after a leg injury, in January 2023 in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Selhurst Park.

Commenting on his first start he said: “It was worth the wait! Being able to make it \[my first Premier League start\] at home, especially in a game like tonight, was amazing."

His performances against Manchester United home and away, along with keeping a clean sheet against Newcastle United, saw him win the club's Player of the Month award in January 2023.

Richards' first domestic season in red and blue ended with 10 appearances in total, however he also managed to score his first international goal in the final of the CONCACAF Nations League against Canada to guide the United States to a 2-0 win.

The 2023/24 campaign saw Richards establish more of a place in the side, playing multiple roles as a centre-back, defensive midfielder and even as a right-back. He racked up 30 appearances in total, and scored his first goal against Burnley in a 3-0 win at Selhurst Park in February 2024.

Richards also found CONCACAF Nations League success once more, winning the title again in a 2-0 win over Mexico in March 2024. He was also recognised for his exceptional work with the Palace for Life Foundation - winning the PFA Community Champion award.

In 2024/25, Richards made 32 appearances across all competitions - six of which were in the FA Cup, where he played every single minute on the way to making history in the final against Manchester City.

2020

IFFHS Men's World Youth Team

January 2023

Crystal Palace Player of the Month

2023/24

PFA Community Champion

Richards

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The best of our Defenders | Brighton (H)

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Match Highlights: Crystal Palace 1-1 Millwall

The Full 90: Crystal Palace v Millwall | Palace TV+

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Fa Cup Final | Chris Richards & Matt Turner | Post Match Interview

Richards praises team spirit

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**Speaking earlier this season, the Frenchman reflected on his relationship with the Crystal Palace supporters, love for the red of blue, and his hopes of representing France on the world's greatest stage this summer...**

*This interview was initially published in the Crystal Palace v Manchester United programme - you can **[buy previous issues of the matchday programme by clicking HERE](https://shop.cpfc.co.uk/giftssouvenirs/souvenirs/programmes/)**.*

It’s fair to say Maxence Lacroix has achieved a lot in his nine years as a professional. In fact, more specifically, he’s achieved a lot in just under two years at Crystal Palace. 

Lacroix arrived in South London as a player with Champions League experience, a France youth international and someone who had built a strong reputation in the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg.

But even knowing his undoubted quality, few could have predicted the impact he has had both on the defence, and the wider team, a model of consistency at the back.

When you watch this Palace team – and particularly that defensive trio at the back – week in, week out, you see a hunger for clean sheets.

It goes some way to explaining why Lacroix is often seen fist pumping and saluting the fans at the end of big victories this season.

Every win, every clean sheet, is to be savoured.

“My relationship with the fans I think is quite good,” Lacroix says as he begins to reflect on his time in South London so far. 

“In my mind, when I first arrived, I always was thinking, it’s not only the actual team who I’m working with. It’s also the people around the team – and that includes the supporters.

“I have a lot of respect for them, for the people who follow us at every single game. So I think creating a good relationship with them and that [celebrating following wins] is a way of giving back what they give us.

“They always give us that extra energy.”

Indeed, it was Lacroix’s words that became one of the defining images of that glorious Saturday afternoon back in May 2025, when Palace wrote their greatest chapter, so far, in club history. 

The tifo didn’t lie. Wembley did indeed shake and it was beautiful.

Understandably perhaps, many of the memories from that incredible day will be post-match, the celebrations, who you hugged and cried with when that full-time whistle went – and for many, who you wanted to be there to hug but weren’t able to.

When you saw the fans after it was emotional

Lacroix was able to have his family there that day, with his father at the forefront of moments he will treasure for the rest of his career, and beyond. “I remember us praying together on the pitch with the cup,” he recalls. 

“We won it by the grace of God, so that was a very powerful moment. When you saw the fans after it was emotional. 

“After that I gave the trophy to my father and he took it and started jumping up and down. 

“Security said to me, ‘no, you have to bring the trophy back!’ I was scared he was just going to run off with it. But having those moments with him, it was powerful.”

I couldn’t believe it. I checked it a few times to make sure it was real

But as well as the post-match joy, the atmosphere the players walked into, before a ball was even kicked, will stick in the minds of everyone there.

Looking at that pre-match display must have been a surreal experience for the Frenchman. “To be honest, I didn’t see it [the tifo] straight away,” he said. “But then after some people were like: ‘look, it’s what you said!’

“I was like, ‘oh my days!’ I couldn’t believe it. I checked it a few times to make sure it was real. 

“The funny thing is that before the Community Shield I was asked a lot ‘will Wembley shake again?’ 

“And every time I’d say, ‘yes, you watch it’s going to shake again! 

“Every time we get to Wembley I have to say it. Even in the finals of the Euro in 2028, when I want to be with the national team, I will say ‘Wembley is going to shake!’”

That brings us neatly to subject of international football.

Lacroix previously spent time at the prestigious Clairefontaine academy, one of the best in the world, responsible for a vast number of French players involved in the World Cup triumphs of both 1998 and 2018. 

A year before the latter win, Lacroix was representing Les Bleus at the Under-17 World Cup. He has also won caps at U18 and U20 level, with new Palace teammate Jaydee Canvot currently on a similar pathway.

Last month, long after this interview was conducted, Lacroix was rewarded for his fine form for Palace this season with his first two senior appearances for France, featuring against Brazil and Colombia.

With Didier Deschamps’ team now preparing for this summer's World Cup finals, understandably, the centre-back is not reticent on his own international ambitions with that tournament now firmly on the horizon.

If you are in form you can compete with the guys who are already in the national team

“Personally, this season I want to play the best football I can,” he says. “And hopefully that means I can compete for a place at the World Cup.

“Of course that has to be the aim, because if we have good results and we play well, like JP [Mateta] has shown, you can earn your place. 

“If you are in form, you can compete with the guys who are already in the national team. And we have a big competition with the World Cup this year. 

“I want to do it – and I believe I can do it.”

That part of Lacroix's journey is already underway.

His prospects will have been further bolstered by his impressive form in front of goal this season; the centre-back has struck three times so far this campaign, including important goals in the UEFA Conference League against AZ Alkmaar and Zrinjski Mostar at Selhurst Park.

“I was happy to score and I think I can definitely score more,“ Lacroix said, after the former strike. 

"That one I was really happy about, because my family were there. I’m glad people could see I can still score!

“When you’re playing as a youngster, all you want to do is score goals. I remember the first coach who said to me ‘you have to be centre-back’, and I was like ‘how will I score goals?’ 

“I was actually a goalkeeper when I was really young, because my father was a goalkeeper, so he told me to go in goal. But I wanted to score goals and that’s quite difficult when you’re stuck as a goalkeeper.” 

That’s not to say Lacroix didn’t hone his finishing as a junior.

“Thankfully I was really tall and quick so I was then used as a striker. I was actually quite good for a few years. “Then when I was 15, I moved slowly moved back through the positions. I didn’t have the flair; I wasn’t able to score every time.

“I played as a ‘10’, then a ‘No. 6’. Eventually I moved back to centre-back. I guess I should be glad I didn’t end up as a goalkeeper!”

His Dad may have originally wanted the young Maxence between the posts, but it was the sacrifices of both of his parents that gave Lacroix a chance to make it as a professional. 

That achievement alone is not one taken for granted by the man now proudly wearing the No. 5 shirt for the Eagles. 

“I come from a really small village, where nobody else has then made it to professional football,” he adds. 

"It wasn’t easy. It was difficult to go to the training ground. My training ground was 30 minutes by car from where I live. My mum couldn’t drive me to the training ground. But she knew it was important, so she would ask friends to take me. 

“Only after that time did some people then spot that I had quality. Then the decision was made for me to go to Bordeaux, the nearest big city, and ever since, I’ve been able to make my journey.”

Quite the journey it’s been. But one that still has more to give. 

When sitting with Lacroix in the relatively calm surroundings of the first-team training ground, you encounter a confident, easy-going person, but also sense his aspirations to achieve more.

So what does Lacroix want to have done when the end of May rolls around and the season has concluded? 

“To be honest, I want to win another trophy with Palace this season.

“The Conference League is new to us. But everyone has really embraced it. I feel like every single player is ready to compete. 

"We’ve got plenty of games to play, but everyone is happy with that. I know we can do it.”

Who's to say that Lacroix and his teammates won’t be lifting more silverware come the end of the season?

**Happy birthday, Maxence!**

Today (6th April) sees our vice-captain and latest senior international, Maxence Lacroix, turn 26-years-old – happy birthday, Max!

Happy birthday, Maxence!: Lacroix on his love for South London

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Get ready for Europe!

Mitchell recently made it a double century of competitive games for the Eagles. But even he wouldn't have dreamed of playing so many games for Palace before his senior debut against Leicester City in July 2020.

Back then it was Hodgson, who recently made his return to management with Championship side Bristol City, picking the team and deciding to give the young full-back a chance in the Premier League.

"He told me to just focus on what you're good at," Mitchell told Sky Sports. "He said that was the main thing.

"That's what got you here in the first place. So make sure that's your bread and butter. I think at the time, that was a really key thing for me.

"I wasn't trying to overly impress or do much every time.

"He said just make sure that you know what you're good at, make sure you show that the best."

In the near-six years of his time as a first-team player, Mitchell has established himself as an important player, before going on to play in the FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs, as well as the Eagles' first major European campaign.

When asked specifically about the milestone of playing 200 games, he said: "It's massive. It's a milestone that you want to tick off. You want to play as many games as possible.

"I'm happy that I've reached 200 so quickly. So I just take pride in that. 

"It's something that in the future, I want to get another 200 and just keep going until I can't go anymore."

So what advice does Mitchell have for the next line of Palace graduates? His message is to play without pressure.

"I don't think I feel any extra pressure of playing for the first-team from the Academy," he added. "I think I've got that pride because, obviously, Crystal Palace gave me the chance to become a professional player, to play in these games. 

"So, obviously, I've got pride in that aspect for the fans, for myself, and for everyone who is a part of this club. But I wouldn't say I felt pressure in coming from the Academy. 

"I just got that consistency from training and training every day. That gave me the confidence that if the chance came, I'd be able to perform."

Tyrick Mitchell has revealed the wise words from former Manager Roy Hodgson that stuck with him when he first broke into the Crystal Palace first team squad back in 2020.

Mitchell on the best piece of advice he received as a young professional

Women's Highlights | Palace 1-0 Ipswich Town

### Summary:

**Newell is handed her debut whilst Napier misses out with injury.**

- **7: Weerden whips a ball in which Howat gets her head to, but the ball deflects away for a corner**
- **16: GOAL - Weerden takes a quick corner to Howat, whose dipping effort beats Negri**
- **24: Larkin has the ball in the net, but the lineswoman's flag goes up**
- **30: The ball richochets favourably to Weerden whose snapshot is just over the bar**
- **40: More great work from Weerden sees the ball land on the penalty spot, but no-one is there to convert**
- **HT: Palace 1 - 0 Ipswich**
- **49: Larkin beats three defenders with a mazy run, but can't quite get her final pass right**
- **53: Larkin turns and shoots in the box, but it is well held by Negri**
- **66: Cheap Palace giveaway leads to a dangerous Ipswich break, but Everett is on hand to clear the danger** 
- **78: Dangerous Weerden free-kick is well-held by Negri**
- **83: Larkin rattles the crossbar after a well-worked corner routine**
- **87: Hughes heads just wide**
- **FT: Palace 1 - 0 Ipswich**

Jo Potter's side made it an astonishing 11 wins from 13 games, after Kirsty Howat's early goal secured a 1-0 home win against Ipswich.

Ipswich pushed forward to try and grab an equaliser, but the Palace defence held on to claim another league clean sheet.

The only goal of the game came in the 16th minute, with Howat scoring her second in as many games. 

Ashleigh Weerden took a corner short to Howat, and after a quick one-two, the Scotland international let fly from around 18 yards out.

Her effort proved too high for Negri and dipped just under the bar, giving the Eagles an early lead.

The goal also marked Weerden's ninth league assist of the season, drawing her level with Kosovare Asllani's record that was set in the then-named Women's Championship last year.

It was a close second-half, with Ipswich pushing more players forward to try and find an equaliser.

Palace still broke with regularity however, with Abbie Larkin going close twice within the first 15 minutes of the second-half.

Ipswich also came close to scoring too, with Aimee Everett recovering well to stop a dangerous counter-attack on the 66th minute.

Larkin could have put the game to bed on 83 minutes, but the Ireland international was denied by the crossbar.

Palace were happy to keep the ball for the closing stages, denying Ipswich any significant chances in the final few minutes.

After four minutes of added time elapsed, the whistle blew and Palace moved one step closer to the promotion playoff.

The Eagles remain third in the WSL2, with just three points required for Palace to confirm a promotion playoff spot.

Many players in Potter's side are now set to go away for the April international break, before they return on Sunday, 26th April with a trip to Sunderland.

Following that will be the final game of the regular season - Portsmouth at home on the 2nd May.

Kicking off at 15:00 at the VBS Community Stadium, tickets are available via the button below!

Buy Portsmouth tickets here!

**Palace:** Yañez (GK), Cato, Everett, Sharpe, Howat (Hughes, 73), Weerden, Ladd, Blanchard (Brown, 73), Newell, Larkin, Swaby

Subs not used: Annets, Arthur, Brady, Nolan, Littlejohn

**Ipswich**: Negri (GK), Boswell, Mitchell, Graham, Peskett (Baker, 67), Cavanagh (O'Brien, 67), Roe (Dean, 83), Weir, Peake, Ashworth-Clifford, Ademeiluyi (Thomas, 72)

Subs not used: Hartley (GK), Neville, Lasova, Wearing, Meena

Kirsty Howat's early goal proved to be the difference as Crystal Palace Women won 1-0 against Ipswich Town in the Barclays Women's Super League 2.

Report & Highlights: Early goal earns Palace another crucial win in promotion bid

Crystal Palace Women v Ipswich Town Women (2026-04-05)

Features

Features

Happy birthday, Maxence!: Lacroix on his love for South London

Mitchell on the best piece of advice he received as a young professional

Report & Highlights: Early goal earns Palace another crucial win in promotion bid

Get ready for Europe!

26Chris
Richards

Features

Features

Happy birthday, Maxence!: Lacroix on his love for South London

Mitchell on the best piece of advice he received as a young professional

Report & Highlights: Early goal earns Palace another crucial win in promotion bid

Get ready for Europe!

26ChrisRichards

26Chris
Richards