Chris Richards was in typically jovial mood when he sat down with Dean Henderson to film Episode 1 of our new Palace TV show.
Packed full of relaxed Palace chat, games and quizzes, Behind the Palace is our brand-new show, giving a unique insight into the personalities behind the Eagles, who are currently based in Germany ahead of Saturday’s final pre-season friendly against SC Freiburg.
You can watch Episode 1 in full below – with Episode 2 now also showing!
Richards has been in pre-season training for three weeks now following his return from North America, and has already featured twice in wins against Al Ula and Fulham.
“It’s my third week back here, so you're learning [how to play with] new players,” Richards noted.
“On top of that, you're learning a new way of coaching [under Pierre Sage]. You're learning a new way of playing. It's been good. It's definitely a learning curve.
“I think everybody's starting to understand each other now. I think as much as we can learn from the coaches, they're also learning from us in how we work, how the club works, how the Premier League works.
“So overall, they bring a lot of experience and a lot of good energy. Obviously, they had a very good, successful campaign last year with RC Lens, and so they have a bit of a reputation and now they want to bring it here.
“We’re trying to do everything with open eyes, and I think it's been very beneficial so far.”
Reflecting on a home World Cup Finals which saw Richards and the United States reach the Round of 16, the 26-year-old smiled: “It was amazing.
“I think as a federation we've spoken about trying to grow the game back home, and I think being able to have a World Cup and be somewhat successful in it, and having some good showings, having watch parties, having just the country behind us… it was an amazing feeling.
“It was cool. I had my girlfriend and my daughter in the stands, had my little brother, my mum, dad... Some of my best friends in the world were there as well. Overall, it was an amazing experience and I got to share those experiences with the people I love.”
It shows how ambitious the club's gotten and just how the club has grown
—Chris Richards
Richards also celebrated the achievement of teammate Yéremy Pino, who lifted the trophy with Spain.
“I'm not sure if he understood them [the congratulations]!” he laughed. “But I think not just for the club, but ultimately for him, being a World Cup winner is something that nobody could ever take away from him.
“I think every kid who's ever touched a football has always dreamed of winning a World Cup for their country, so props to him. It's a very proud moment.
“Being able to say, ‘oh, I have a teammate who's won a World Cup’, I think is something that a handful of players can say in the world. And we feel just as much pride for him as if we had done it, so it's a very, very important thing, not just in his career, but also I think in everybody else's career to see how close it is to winning a World Cup.
“On top of that, we've had a successful last two years when it comes to winning trophies. And it shows how ambitious the club's gotten and just how the club has grown, so I think it's amazing.”
Following the aftermath of the UEFA Conference League Final, Richards adopted a toy chicken, Paxo – handed down from the stands – for the celebrations.
“I do still have the chicken,” he chuckled. “The chicken family has grown as well!
“I don't know if you saw in Como. Man, somebody gifted me another chicken. So I have like five chickens now. It's like a whole chicken family!”
Watch Behind the Palace in full above, now!