Chris Richards responds to new Crystal Palace star's message as Marc Guehi exit looms
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Credit: Crystal Palace on Youtube/Manh Tung, Breaking Media/Imago
Jonathan Burnett
Mon 1 September 2025 14:53, UK
Chris Richards looks set for increased responsibility at Crystal Palace as his defensive partner Marc Guehi closes in on a move to Liverpool.
The final hours of the 2024 summer transfer window will be busy to say the least at Selhurst Park, with Crystal Palace consigned to losing their captain and Guehi’s medical tests already booked by Liverpool.
Oliver Glasner has already been made to say goodbye to his attacking talisman this summer after Arsenal signed Eberechi Eze for £60million on 23 August, and time is running out for Palace to replace Guehi.
Crystal Palace have deals for three new centre-backs in the works as they do their best to delay Guehi’s exit, after the Eagles’ outgoing skipper played a key role in their first Premier League victory this season.
Palace put Aston Villa to the sword in a 3-0 win at Villa Park, and as well as Guehi curling in a long-range curler to double their advantage, Sunday’s victory also saw Eze’s replacement make his first appearance.
Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media
Eze’s departure left a huge hole in Glasner’s frontline which Palace moved quickly to fill, and they’ll be forced to move even faster to succeed Guehi at the back after he signed off with that long-range strike.
Crystal Palace spent over £25million of the Eze funds to sign Yeremy Pino from Villarreal on 29 August and the Spaniard came straight into their squad for Sunday’s match, with the number 10 shirt to boot.
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Pino entered the fray for his Palace debut three minutes after Eze’s curler put them 2-0 up, and he posted on Instagram at full-time to celebrate their victory before he jets off for international duty.
His message said; “Debut and three points!
No better feeling”, to which Richards responded with; “How strong, brother!”, providing an immediate welcome into a dressing room which is about to lose a colossal figure.
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Football Insider Verdict
Pino’s welcome into the Crystal Palace dressing room will certainly help ease the pressure of inheriting Eze’s number 10 shirt, with the England midfielder leaving the Eagles as arguably their best ever player.
Guehi’s imminent absence from Glasner’s side will be felt even more so in a leadership capacity, with Brighton centre-back Igor Julio emerging as the main target to fill the void left behind by their captain.
A Brighton player moving to Selhurst Park will bring even further pressure on Igor‘s shoulders, and that puts even more onus on Richards and Maxence Lacroix to step up at the back for Palace this season.