The talented midfielder has every reason to want out.
Amir Richardson told L’Équipe today that he’s ready to leave Fiorentina and would welcome a return to Nice. It’s a shame, as Paolo Vanoli’d brought him back into the fold after Stefano Pioli froze him out, and the Slender Man showed flashes of last spring’s sterling form in his first start of the season last week against against Dynamo Kyiv.
I’ve always been a Richardson believer and think he should be a major part of the Viola midfield going forward: as a passer, he’s always on the move and trying to bounce 1-2s around to develop a rhythm and progress the ball through the center. Throw in his solid out of possession work and you’ve got the sort of player this team could use.
After reading the interview, I don’t blame Richardson in the slightest for wanting out. He missed most of preseason dealing with an unnamed personal issue. That mystery was solved last month, when news of his father’s death broke. Richardson’s 23. I lost a parent when I was 26 and it was shattering at a level I cannot describe. I was also fortunate to live in the same city, to see that parent regularly. Richardson, on the other hand, spent the final months of his dad’s life thousands of miles away. That’s going to weigh on anyone, much less a young person.
My heart goes out to Amir because that’s a horrible situation. According to the man himself, Stefano Pioli made it worse, promising that he was still in Fiorentina’s plans until the last couple weeks of the transfer window, when he abruptly informed Richardson to find a new club. I’ve only heard one side of the story et cetera but that’s a brutal blow and would erode anyone’s trust in their work environment.
Richardson’s likely feeling extra pressure from the international side too. He’s got 9 senior Morocco caps and would’ve expected to be in the running for Walid Regagui’s international sides, but his exile to the bench, particularly at an intensely difficult personal moment, could only have added to the pain. If he wants throw his hat back in the ring for the World Cup this summer, he has to play himself into the conversation and may not think it’s possible if he’s only a rotational option.
Even with the departures of Pioli and Daniele Pradè, it sounds like Richardson has lost faith in Fiorentina’s ability to treat him with the respect he deserves. After such a destabilizing few months, it’s no wonder that he wants a return to his boyhood club. In his situation, who wouldn’t want to go back to a familiar place full of friendly faces?
Normally, I’d criticize him a bit for taking this out of house. This is the sort of matter that should be dealt with behind closed doors. When it happens in the town square, everyone involved looks unprofessional. From his account, though, he’s been treated unprofessionally, so any rupture in faith didn’t come from his end. He’s just treating the club as he’s been treated.
And despite the hellish start to this accursed season, Amir Richardson is the first Fiorentina player to openly state his intention to depart Fiorentina. There’s no rancor in it. He’s making a decision to take care of his own career because the Viola certainly aren’t. It’s nothing personal. It’s just business, business that stings even more after that Dynamo game.
There are certainly other players eying the exit too. There’ve been too many whispers of fractures within the dressing room, too many visible signs of interpersonal tension, too much toxicity surrounding the club for everyone to feel good about sticking around, especially after the Curva’s advice to anybody unsure about sticking it out to fuck off.
Maybe Richardson’s comments will embolden those guys to ask for a move too. I’ll be less sympathetic but wouldn’t be too fussed. In straights this dire, you need guys giving it their all, and anyone whose mind isn’t squarely focused on the task at hand runs the risk of dragging the whole boat down with them. I don’t think that applies to the Slender Man due to his unique circumstances this year and I hope he gets what he wants. My fear is that, with the gangplank down, everyone will try to rush down it and leave the ship without a crew.
Category: General Sports
