He clearly hasn't lived up to his reputation this year, so your comparisons are way off. Cotchin had a poor champs but for the rest of the year he was superb
You missed the point. Rich has a reputation of getting through just on his ability and strength and not working hard enough to improve his game, this reputation has not being isolated for just this year.
Sure, but his performances in the champs so far haven't been that of an 'elite midfielder', there are others who are clearly in front of him.
Wow, that's some ground breaking info you have there, you can't pick a Rich type player up at number 70.
Why do people on this site consider Naitanui a risk but Rich is definitely a sure thing? To alot of people Rich has already demonstrated a lack of willingness to push himself to the next level and just to rely on his ability, he could very easily end up being another Colin Sylvia, dominated at underage level because of his build but just goes at senior level. To suggest he's not a risk is just being plain stupid, and he isn't even that quick - just what we need, yet another one paced midfielder
This is all [censored] though because with the number one pick you always go for the best available kid, not go for someone merely because he plays in the best position.