Richard rarely read the newspapers—not for lack of content, but because there was simply too much of it.
In the UK, where no dedicated football publications existed, the sheer volume of football-related news spread across both major and minor newspapers felt overwhelming. From match reports and off-field gossip to sensationalized locker room drama and baseless transfer rumors, the noise made it nearly impossible to separate fact from fiction.
His disinterest was only deepened by the notoriously low journalistic standards of the British media. Most of the time, he merely skimmed the headlines, choosing instead to rely on a trusted source to gather and verify any football intelligence genuinely worth his attention.
For example, take the media coverage ahead of the match.
Just a day before Arsenal's friendly against Manchester City, The Times, The Sun, and The Daily Mail all splashed bold headlines across their back pages.
