Richards is not just another body in camp. When fit, the Crystal Palace defender gives the US line authority, athletic cover and a level of calm that matters in tournament football. He has been around this group long enough to count as one of the senior defensive voices, and that makes the uncertainty more awkward.
The update is encouraging because he is at least back on the grass. It is also cautionary because he was still working away from the main drills at the start of training.
Pochettino’s challenge is straightforward and uncomfortable:
Richards has not played since suffering the ankle problem on 17 May, and that layoff matters. Match sharpness is hard to fake, especially for a defender likely to be tested early. Pochettino admitted “the next few days are going to be key to see the possibility, to see if he’s ready or not,” and that feels like the real story here: hope, but not certainty.
The final warm-up against Germany now looks important even if Richards does not start - or does not feature at all. Any sign that he can move freely, turn cleanly and handle defensive work would change the conversation quickly. If not, the US may have to decide whether patience is enough.
That makes the days before Paraguay the storyline to watch. The squad is named, but the picture around Chris Richards is still coming into focus.