Colin Kazim-Richards Interview with OLBG

Colin Kazim-Richards (b. August 26, 1986) is an English-born professional footballer known for his stint as a forward for the Süper Lig club Fatih Karagümrük S.K. His Turkish name, Kâzım, originates from his mother's heritage, which was erroneously added to his legal name, making him Colin Kazim-Richards.

Football Career

Kazim-Richards' career started off with junior stints at Queens Park Rangers and Arsenal, leading to a professional football contract with Bury. His impressive performances earned him transfers to Brighton & Hove Albion and Sheffield United. He subsequently moved to play for prominent European clubs, including Fenerbahçe, Toulouse, Galatasaray, Olympiacos, Bursaspor, Feyenoord, Blackburn Rovers, Celtic, and Derby County. He also had a four-year stint in Brazil and Mexico with Coritiba, Corinthians, Lobos BUAP, Veracruz, and Pachuca.

International Career

In 2007, Kazim-Richards opted to represent Turkey at the international level, earning 37 caps and netting twice before retiring in 2015. He had also appeared at U21 and B level for Turkey.

Recent Developments

His latest contract had him donning Fatih Karagümrük S.K.'s colours, where his performances remain influential. Despite a successful international career, Kazim-Richards retired from international football, choosing to focus his competition in various European football leagues.

Interview May 2024

Speaking exclusively to OLBG, Colin Kazim-Richards has urged Marcus Rashford to force an exit from Manchester United to be appreciated again in Europe.

The former Galatasaray and Derby County forward has also told England boss Gareth Southgate to build his team around Cole Palmer at Euro 2024.

Ex-Turkey international has also picked Lionel Messi as a ‘different alien’ in the GOAT debate with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Q: Should Marcus Rashford go and play his football abroad?

CK-R: “I'd love Marcus to go abroad. I've said that to everybody. The style and the way he plays when he's at his top is set for you. It's set for him. The appreciation that he will get from playing in Europe would be crazy. 

“Everybody looks for the reason why he hasn’t been producing for Man Utd, but who is producing at Man Utd?

“We like to talk about Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and whoever it is. But if we really look, who is there apart from Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo who is doing it?

“That's the question that needs to be asked. I think it's very easy to pick up on individuals and say, oh, he's not doing this, he's not doing that. But it's a very difficult time over there now. 

“I think it's a club that's in transition, an absolutely massive club, but not a big team anymore.”

Q: Has Jadon Sancho embarrassed Erik ten Hag with his recent performances?

CK-R: “I’m always for the players but I have to be honest and for whatever reason, Jadon Sancho didn’t do it for United. Nobody really knows the full situation apart from the people involved.

“He has gone to Dortmund and taken some time to warm up but you’re starting to see the benefits of him getting a little bit of TLC.

“I think there has been faults on both parties. Could Jadon have done more? Probably. Did United have to treat him like that? Maybe not. Only they know.

“But all we can talk about is now. 'm from East London, he's from South London so it’s nice to see someone from a similar area impress again and reach the Champions League final.

“Everything that he'd been projected to be is finally coming to fruition. But that's what happened last time as well. 

“So hopefully when all of this calms down after the Champions League final, he can still be that man and push on. Sometimes in life, especially in football, you're put in situations that you don't necessarily like but you still have to produce.

“I'm talking like that as a man that has played in many countries and been put in many situations. Sometimes you wake up and don’t fancy it but you still have to do it. It’s a results business.“

Q: Do you lean towards Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi in the GOAT debate?

CK-R: “I love those questions. I think that's what football is about. But I don't think you should compare them. It's very difficult to do that. 

“But saying who you prefer? That's the special thing about football, having those debates.

“I think Messi is different, he’s an alien. Neymar is at his top as well, it's just something that is crazy.

“Cristiano, for me, what I take from him, his work effort and wanting and actually setting it and stating and wanting to be the best, that's something you have to respect more than anything. 

“But who would I rather? In my team, I'd take any one of them, but if I had the choice and I had 200, 300 million to buy a player at their prime, I would have bought Messi.”

Q: Are Sheffield United one of the worst Premier League teams ever?

C-KR: “I love Sheffield and love Sheffield United. I had an amazing time there. I think the way we went down then was a bit suspect and to this day is very political. I can say that now I’m not playing anymore.

“I think this season they got it wrong from the jump. They sold their best players and their most effective players. And this is not disrespect to anybody, they didn’t get the key players to come and fill those spots.

“So from the start, it was just downhill and it never stopped going downhill. It was like a snowball effect. It just kept going and going and going. And it's such a shame to see that place used to be a ground where teams didn’t like to go.

“I think this year they kind of let that go. I think it was a place where people were coming and picking up a lot of points, which when you're fighting for relegation or you're not classed as one of the big clubs, you have to really cement your place at home.”

Q: What do you think of Hull City sacking Liam Rosenior? 

CK-R: “Crazy respect to Liam Rosenior for what he has done. He has done an amazing job. They looked dead and buried. He’s gone there and given them a bit of identity.

“They missed out on the playoffs by three points and I think give it four or five weeks and he could have another job in the Championship. The way he plays is effective football.

“He can only get better because he's probably learned a lot as well over there, having that experience. I just feel he's a good coach at the moment and it's a shame to see him go. 

“But this business, whether you're in the Championship, League Two, League One, this football business right now, that's what's happening with coaches.”

ALSO READ

Next Hull City Manager Betting Odds and History

Q: Will Celtic beat Rangers and secure another Scottish Premiership title?

CK-R: “I definitely think it's in their hands. They play Rangers at home at the weekend while sitting three points ahead, but that’s still a tough game, a huge game.

“Everybody knows about Celtic fans. Celtic fans are amazing. It's a tough, tough place to go and play. 

“Now I would like to see now Celtic push on in Europe. That's something I would like to see one million percent. I think that's got to be in their plans. 

“Everybody knows what they do in the Scottish league. Everybody knows what Rangers do in the Scottish league. But it would be nice to see Celtic push on in Europe.”