Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has voiced his disappointment regarding the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) and its handling of defender Chris Richards during the recent international break. Despite struggling with a calf issue, Richards played all 90 minutes in both matches against Ecuador and Australia, which resulted in a 1-1 draw and a 2-1 victory, respectively.
Oliver Glasner Criticizes USMNT’s Management of Chris Richards
Glasner stated that he had communicated with the USMNT about Richards’ fitness concerns prior to the matches. “My only complaint is the U.S. team didn’t talk to us because Chris was struggling with his calf for many weeks,” he said. He felt it was unnecessary for Richards to participate in back-to-back friendlies when he needed rest.
Due to the international fixtures, Richards was unavailable for Palace’s Carabao Cup match against Liverpool, which they won 3-0. Glasner now faces uncertainty regarding Richards’ availability for their upcoming match against Brentford. “Let’s see, I haven’t taken a final decision if I start him tomorrow or if I play Jaydee (Canvot) again,” he commented.
Injury Update on Eddie Nketiah
The team is also dealing with striker Eddie Nketiah, who is expected to miss three matches due to a hamstring injury sustained against Liverpool. The injury forced Nketiah to leave the field at halftime, but he is projected to return after the November international break.
Concerns Over Fixture Congestion
Glasner raised additional concerns regarding the tight scheduling of upcoming fixtures. Following their advancement to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, Palace is slated to face Arsenal during a congested period. This could potentially lead to four games in eight days, complicating their match against Finnish club KuPS in the Conference League.
Glasner called the scheduling “dangerous,” emphasizing the need for coordination among football governing bodies. He insisted that player welfare should be a top priority and labeled the current situation irresponsible. “I can’t believe that it will be fixed in that way,” he remarked, calling for better communication between FIFA, UEFA, the Premier League, and EFL.
- Richards played 180 minutes for the USMNT while managing a calf issue.
- Cristal Palace won 3-0 against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.
- Eddie Nketiah is set to miss three games due to a hamstring injury.
- Palace may face fixture congestion with four games in eight days next month.
Glasner suggested that a better-organized schedule could mitigate injury risks and provide fans with the opportunity to see the top players in action. His remarks underline the critical need for improvement in the management of player welfare across international football.
