Shaka Hislop

Listen, I'm with a hook on this fully.

It only becomes a debate to those people who rely on stats.

And it's on the one hand, it's so good to see a defender getting some love for his performances.

But so often these kinds of individual prizes go to strikers and midfielders because it's easy to quantify what they do in terms of goals and assists.

Defenders, did I say goalkeepers, far more difficult.

Chris Richards has been the standout player defensively for the UN's men's national team.

Given what Crystal Palace were able to do during the course of the year, for me, it makes perfect sense.

It only becomes a debate.

It only becomes you're not cool with it if you are asking for, well, how many goals and how many assists.

That's just not the game.

Well, in a number of different aspects, we've been questioning leadership of a number of Europe's big clubs.

You look at Chris Richards and what he brings for the US men's national team, for Crystal Palace in terms of leadership and in a centre-back position where it can be so absolutely vital.

For me, Chris Richards ticks all the boxes to be a top-level centre-back, to be a top-level footballer because of what he brings in terms of his physicality, his mindset defensively, an asset in the opponent's box, and most importantly, and this will probably come to the fore next summer, as you mentioned, Alexis, his leadership ability.

That will be needed.

In those difficult moments, it's those players that...

The people around them appreciate their performances most.

Chris Richards is that guy.

He ticks all those boxes.

Absolutely I guess no the show is not course it was a change into is anyone right.

Look, Anthony Robinson is saying all the right things.