Getting to know Taylor Richards: A profile of Doncaster Rovers’ newest signing

The 19-year-old will spend the coming campaign at the Keepmoat and is poised to make his debut in Saturday’s Carabao Cup clash with Blackburn Rovers.

Here, we take a look at Richards’ career so far.

Name: Taylor Richards

Born: December 4, 2000, Hammersmith, London

IT STARTED AT THE COTTAGEThe first professional club Richards was associated with was Fulham, whom he joined at the age of eight. He believes his ability with his left foot ensured he stood out.

CITY CAME CALLING

Richards was snapped up by Manchester City as a 14-year-old, having been scouted by Joe Shields, who is credited with having discovered Jadon Sancho. He played at City through to U23 level, including in the U19 side that played in the UEFA Youth League, where he scored five goals in nine appearances.

HE CAUGHT THE EYE

Richards was regularly invited to train with City’s first team by boss Pep Guardiola. A knee injury in the 17/18 season hampered his progress, keeping him out for the majority of the campaign. Guardiola named him on the bench for City’s Carabao Cup semi-final clash with Burton Albion in January 2019.

COMPARISONS WITH ONE OF THE VERY BESTHis technical ability and range of passing saw Richards likened to City star Kevin de Bruyne during his time at the Etihad. Richards has an excellent eye for a pass and very quick feet, helping him work his way out of trouble in tight spaces, where his strength also comes in handy. He has also shown versatility by playing across the midfield, with a particular flair for cutting in off the right side onto his favoured left foot.

HE’S GOOD MATES WITH A SUPERSTAROne of Richards’ biggest mentors has been Manchester United star Paul Pogba, who he met through his agent when the Frenchman was with Juventus. When Pogba returned to Manchester, the two connected and he has offered Richards advice ever since.

"Paul's like my big brother up here, he always helps me," Richards said in 2018. "He gives me advice on what to do and if I have a rubbish game then he tells me. He tells me if I need to run more but that's just Paul.”

HE KNOWS WHERE THE GOAL IS

Richards finished top scorer for City’s U19s in the UEFA Youth League and has maintained a decent scoring record since. His record since U18s level has been around one goal every three matches.

MILLION POUND TEEN

Brighton came calling in the summer of 2019 and were willing to pay big money to snatch the midfielder away. An initial fee of £1million was reportedly agreed, with add-ons potentially taking the package to £2.5million. Richards was happy with the move as he felt it gave him a greater chance of breaking into senior football. He said: “I didn’t think playing 23s was helping me, I feel like I was stuck, but all credit to Manchester City teaching me, being a better person off the pitch as well as on it, because I’ve been with them since I was 14.”

THERE WAS OTHER INTEREST

When it became clear Richards could be prized away from City, the likes of Inter and Monaco showed interest in his services.

ONE APPEARANCE SO FAR

Richards did earn his full senior debut last season with Brighton as he played the full 90 minutes in their defeat to Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup. He was a regular for Brighton’s U21 side in the EFL Trophy last season and scored in the win over Southend United.

HE LOVES A PANENKA

An indication of the confidence possessed by Richards may be the manner in which he takes a penalty kick. On debut for Brighton in a friendly against Crawley, he successfully scored from the spot with a Panenka - the deft chip to send the ball looping slowly down the middle, named after Antonín Panenka who was credited with perfecting the technique.

Richards has also used the technique in a competitive setting - he did it successfully against Rotherham United for Manchester City U21s in the EFL Trophy.

WHAT THEY SAID

Taylor Richards: “I’m more of a creative, direct player who looks to get forward. My strengths are probably dribbling and passing, linking with other players.”

Brighton technical director Dan Ashworth: “Taylor is an exciting young talent. He has already played for England at junior levels. He is keen to play senior football, so that is the first challenge for him with a longer-term aim to continue the progress he has already made with Manchester City.”

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