Jazz Richards admits he’s a frustrated midfielder.
The Fulham right back originally played in the middle when at Swansea under Roberto Martinez - now at Everton, but the fight for places was so intense, Richards was persuaded to drop back in order to go forward.
The player was spotted by Swans coach Alan Curtis who gave Richards new direction, but the man himself still longs to join the likes of Scott Parker in the Whites centre for the FA Cup trip to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
Richards said: “Myself, I think I’m best at midfield, but I’m happy to play at right-back.
“It was always was going to be tough to break into the midfield at Swansea, so playing right-back gave me the chance to play games. Maybe, I wouldn’t be where I am now if I hadn’t.
“I was a midfielder under Roberto Martinez when he was at Swansea - and he was happy with it.
"He left to go to Wigan; and then we had Paulo Sousa; he really didn’t know any of the players but Alan Curtis, he’s the one who put me at right-back for the club because I was doing so for Wales U19s.
“You’ve got to be comfortable on the ball in midfield, and it helps in defence as well.”
Richards is from good stock when it comes to sportsmen in the extended family.
The Fulham man claims there is no competition between himself and cousins Tobias Webb and Eli Walker, the former a world title boxing contender, the latter a Wales rugby international - just a hope everyone reaches their potential.
“I’ve also got two younger cousins, 16, 17, playing basketball in the USA at college with hopes for the NBA in the future. We all expect each to do well and all drive each other, and that’s a big help to me.”
