Rios in action in the USplaceholder image
Rios in action in the US | AFP via Getty Images
Crystal Palace and Tottenham are said to be battling for a midfielder who has the physicality to cope in the Premier League.
Both Crystal Palace and Tottenham are said to be battling for the same player this summer. Spurs are now finally ready to pursue transfer targets after appointing Thomas Frank as their new manager, replacing Ange Postecoglou.
Frank is going to want to put his own stamp on his squad this summer, and in truth, significant recruitment is almost mandatory after the club secured qualification to next season’s Champions League. Spurs will be competing at a higher level next season while also needing to improve in the Premier League after a season to forget.
That’s going to be tough to pull off unless Frank is handed new weapons, and there are a number of positions Tottenham can improve in, with the defence, midfield and out wide all in need of further depth.
As for Palace, they also need to step up their quality due to qualifying for the Europa League next season with their FA Cup win. The Eagles have never competed in Europe, so it’s going to be a new challenge for Oliver Glasner’s men. Competing in Europe alongside the Premier League is no easy challenge and more depth must be added if the Eagles are going to manage it.
One player both London clubs are said to be looking at is Palmeiras midfielder Richard Rios. The 6ft2” midfielder is 25 years of age, and he has been with his current club since 2023, making 98 league appearances and scoring seven times from midfield. The 23-tiem Colombia international is a physical midfielder who could make a comfortable transition to the Premier League.
According to Eduardo Burgos, Palace, Newcastle United and Tottenham are currently interested, with Palmeiras likely to demand between £14.9million and £18.6million to sell this summer. That’s a fee both London clubs can afford. Rios is currently at the FIFA Club World Cup with Palmeiras.
Futsal to football
Rios spoke to FIFA in 2024 and spoke about his futsal career and how it helped him transition into football. “When I was growing up, I divided my time equally between futsal and 11-a-side football,” he said. “But when I realised the chances of me going far in football were limited, I committed to futsal.”
“Most of what I do on the pitch stems from futsal, whether it’s putting my foot on the ball and controlling possession, handling one-on-one situations or executing one-twos. “I can think more quickly than some in tight spaces. And I think that football involves a lot of that – many micro-games within a much bigger one, you know. These mini battles – two on two or one on one – can be the things you have to get right to win a game. Futsal is all about that, which is why it helps me a lot.”
It’s a career path similar to that of fellow countryman Falcao, who also graduated from Futsal. “The guy was a cut above,” Rios added.”He also switched to 11-a-side [briefly], though only after he’d already done all there was to do in the discipline."
Continue Reading