Chris Richards

[Teddy Eagle]

Mitchell was the fastest player in our squad at one time. Pretty sure he's still right up there. He's not fast with the ball at feet but he's fast at tracking back. Consider how many times have you seen him outpaced by wingers? I'm thinking maybe once or twice is all I can remember. I've already seen Devenny and Sosa get beaten more times than Mitchell ever has.

The reliability of AI.

Crystal Palace's quickest player is likely Maxence LaCroix, who recorded a top speed of 35.1 km/h in the 2024/25 season. Other quick players on the squad include veteran right-back Nathaniel Clyne and likely players such as Daniel Munoz and Odsonne Edouard, given their performances and positions.

 

[ASCPFC]

The reliability of AI.

Crystal Palace's quickest player is likely Maxence LaCroix, who recorded a top speed of 35.1 km/h in the 2024/25 season. Other quick players on the squad include veteran right-back Nathaniel Clyne and likely players such as Daniel Munoz and Odsonne Edouard, given their performances and positions.

That doesn't seem that reliable. No one's ever seen Édouard run for a start. It's pretty unconvincing that Lacroix is the fastest too. I seem to remember Mitchell was our fastest player two seasons ago.
If I were to be sensible, Sarr is quicker than Lacroix. So are Mitchell and Munoz. Clyne is not going to be fast anymore. We've all seen that enough times now.

 

[Teddy Eagle]

That doesn't seem that reliable. No one's ever seen Édouard run for a start. It's pretty unconvincing that Lacroix is the fastest too. I seem to remember Mitchell was our fastest player two seasons ago.
If I were to be sensible, Sarr is quicker than Lacroix. So are Mitchell and Munoz. Clyne is not going to be fast anymore. We've all seen that enough times now.

Indeed. Is there such a thing as AI poteen because it must have had a skinful before putting Eddy on the list

 

[Nicholas91]

That doesn't seem that reliable. No one's ever seen Édouard run for a start. It's pretty unconvincing that Lacroix is the fastest too. I seem to remember Mitchell was our fastest player two seasons ago.
If I were to be sensible, Sarr is quicker than Lacroix. So are Mitchell and Munoz. Clyne is not going to be fast anymore. We've all seen that enough times now.

That's one of the funniest lines within a post I've ever read on here. 🤣 🤣 🤣

Kudos AS, you have my vote!

 

[JRW2]

That's one of the funniest lines within a post I've ever read on here. 🤣 🤣 🤣

Kudos AS, you have my vote!

You beat me to it: brilliant, witty and highly amusing

 

[doombear]

That doesn't seem that reliable. No one's ever seen Édouard run for a start. It's pretty unconvincing that Lacroix is the fastest too. I seem to remember Mitchell was our fastest player two seasons ago.
If I were to be sensible, Sarr is quicker than Lacroix. So are Mitchell and Munoz. Clyne is not going to be fast anymore. We've all seen that enough times now.

He has shown on a number of occasions that he is fleet of foot with his ability to get back and put in a timely tackle. He doesn't need to show his speed otherwise.

 

[RubinsCube]

Andy Thorn who in my opinion is the second best central defender we’ve had in my time wasn’t fast, John Terry probably the best in the premier league era wasn’t fast either, sometimes it’s just about how well they read the game and not put themselves in a position where they’re going to get outpaced, snap in early with the tackle, don’t get rolled and give yourself a few yards on who you’re marking

Hark at me the expert😀

Some of the very best centre halves can purr through games without pace. The Brazilian guy at Chelsea a couple of seasons ago (40 odd years old; I can't recall his name. Silva?) looked brilliant most times I saw him.

But he did need the right players around him. Having Ngolo Kante in front of him must have helped.

 

[Teddy Eagle]

Some of the very best centre halves can purr through games without pace. The Brazilian guy at Chelsea a couple of seasons ago (40 odd years old; I can't recall his name. Silva?) looked brilliant most times I saw him.

But he did need the right players around him. Having Ngolo Kante in front of him must have helped.

Bobby Moore's anticipation and positioning were so brilliant he didn't need any pace.

 

[pssguy]

Bobby Moore's anticipation and positioning were so brilliant he didn't need any pace.

Mel Blyth was our equivalent at that time in terms of reading the game and probably quicker. Unfortunately, in terms of passing ability they were poles apart

 

[Teddy Eagle]

Mel Blyth was our equivalent at that time in terms of reading the game and probably quicker. Unfortunately, in terms of passing ability they were poles apart

Mel was a good player for us but that's not a comparison you hear very often! That's not to criticise him but Bobby Moore was a hero of mine.

 

[PatrickA]

Bobby Moore's anticipation and positioning were so brilliant he didn't need any pace.

I agree about Moore, an outstanding reader of the game.
Even at an advanced age playing for Fulham I recall seeing him control a game from the back at Selhurst.
One of the best.
Dave McKay was another.
I remember seeing him dictating a game for Derby against Palace.
When a ball was played to our strikers McKay would anticipate, step forward, control the ball on his chest and set up Derby for attacks.

These two were outstanding footballers who left a lasting impression on me as a young fan.
Even at a young age I could see the importance of a football brain and immaculate first touch.

 

[Teddy Eagle]

I agree about Moore, an outstanding reader of the game.
Even at an advanced age playing for Fulham I recall seeing him control a game from the back at Selhurst.
One of the best.
Dave McKay was another.
I remember seeing him dictating a game for Derby against Palace.
When a ball was played to our strikers McKay would anticipate, step forward, control the ball on his chest and set up Derby for attacks.

These two were outstanding footballers who left a lasting impression on me as a young fan.
Even at a young age I could see the importance of a football brain and immaculate first touch.

Dave McKay was a fantastic player. He, Bobby Moore and Denis Law were the only three non-Palace players I cared about as a kid.
A lot of people thought he was done when Brian Clough signed him too. How wrong they were.

 

[Eagleman13]

Some of the very best centre halves can purr through games without pace. The Brazilian guy at Chelsea a couple of seasons ago (40 odd years old; I can't recall his name. Silva?) looked brilliant most times I saw him.

But he did need the right players around him. Having Ngolo Kante in front of him must have helped.

David Luiz. 38yo played for Paphos in their 1st ever ECL game away to Olympiacos. 0-0 on Wednesday just gone.

 

[Willo]

Some of the very best centre halves can purr through games without pace. The Brazilian guy at Chelsea a couple of seasons ago (40 odd years old; I can't recall his name. Silva?) looked brilliant most times I saw him.

But he did need the right players around him. Having Ngolo Kante in front of him must have helped.

Thiago Silva, who was not tall for a central defender but very accomplished.
Frank Lampard signed him on a 'Free' from PSG.

 

[RubinsCube]

I agree about Moore, an outstanding reader of the game.
Even at an advanced age playing for Fulham I recall seeing him control a game from the back at Selhurst.
One of the best.
Dave McKay was another.
I remember seeing him dictating a game for Derby against Palace.
When a ball was played to our strikers McKay would anticipate, step forward, control the ball on his chest and set up Derby for attacks.

These two were outstanding footballers who left a lasting impression on me as a young fan.
Even at a young age I could see the importance of a football brain and immaculate first touch.

Outside our shores but Franco Baresi at AC Milan was supposedly a master at timing and reading the game.

 

[iamjohnny75]

David Luiz. 38yo played for Paphos in their 1st ever ECL game away to Olympiacos. 0-0 on Wednesday just gone.

Always think of the 2014 World Cup semi-final when someone mentions David Luis. It was a shockingly bad performance by the whole Brazilian team but he stood out for me as particularly poor.

 

[Badger11]

Always think of the 2014 World Cup semi-final when someone mentions David Luis. It was a shockingly bad performance by the whole Brazilian team but he stood out for me as particularly poor.

I can only assume that the pressure of a home win got to the team?

 

[iamjohnny75]

There certainly was immense pressure on them. They totally fell apart. I always felt David Luiz was prone to errors though. As far as great centre half’s without pace are concerned I’d have to include Lauren Blanc in the conversation. In fact the French had a couple of quality centre halves in that era that were not particularly quick, Frank Leboeuf being the other example. Speed is a bonus in that position but knowing how to read the game is the primary requirement. Chris Richards seems to be developing well under Glasner in that respect.

 

[Lanzo-Ad]

I think Chris is the most improved player, the best defender, not player, he must win 80% of headed balls in both boxes

 

[silvertop]

The reliability of AI.

Crystal Palace's quickest player is likely Maxence LaCroix, who recorded a top speed of 35.1 km/h in the 2024/25 season. Other quick players on the squad include veteran right-back Nathaniel Clyne and likely players such as Daniel Munoz and Odsonne Edouard, given their performances and positions.

Timed running away from the ball?