Arsenal Want Micah Richards, Aston Villa Eye Daniel Sturridge: Deal or No Deal?

It has been a mind-boggling morning of speculation with regards to Manchester City, speculation that does absolutely nothing for Mark Hughes side.

The talk of the papers is that three of City’s top young stars are being lined up by possibly their biggest rival’s for a UEFA Champions League spot next season.

Arsenal and Aston Villa are locked in the battle for the last Champions League spot this season, but it is Man City’s ambition to be there fighting next season so surely they won’t sell their best young players to the pair of them just to free up some space for overpaid, overhyped, I’m-here-for-the-money type players?

Micah Richards and Michael Johnson (both 20) were the stars of the show last season helping Manchester City (under Sven Goran Eriksson) to an early lead in the Barclays Premier League. Yes, the form didn’t last all season, but young sides rarely have the consistency to compete for honours over a long period of time.

Johnson was hot property, wanted by Liverpool. Richards was playing for England and being watched by derby rival’s Manchester United.

This season, Daniel Sturridge has been the revelation, a player of real quality, and one I would rather have in my side over new signing Craig Bellamy.

The reports say that Richards is wanted by Arsenal for £7 million. A bargain in my eyes for a player who probably just needs a pep talk and a bit of confidence instilled in him by his gaffer. And who better to do that than Arsene Wenger?

People talk of Richards poor form this season but a year ago he was bombing down the right for England looking like a world beater. I believe that player is still in him but the current situation at City is no place for a player with little or no confidence.

Knowing your boss can sign anyone in your position isn’t really a confidence booster to the vulnerable.

Michael Johnson had a great season last year scoring a couple of vital goals with his late attacking runs, his display’s caught the attention of Liverpool who were reportedly interested in a £12 million bid.

The bidder this time looks like being Aston Villa but the fee won’t be £12 million. No, Villa want Johnson and Daniel Sturridge for just £10 million.

Nineteen-year-old Sturridge has already dug his City side out of some hole’s this season with his great attacking play and youthful confidence. He is clearly thriving on playing in the same side as the likes of Robinho and Elano. He has never looked out of place on the pitch alongside them.

That said, the signing of “I’ll be here for a season” Bellamy could well have a negative effect on a player who has been constantly banging on Mark Hughes door this season with one accomplished display after another.

What more did he have to do?

Martin O’Neill has a sound record with younger players, you just need to look at Ashley Young and Gabby Abonglahor ‘s improvement under the Irishman to see that a move to the Villains would be good for both players careers and England prospects.

Manchester City said they wouldn’t abandon their youth system but with the futures of four potential long-time England internationals (Joe Hart, Michael Johnson, Micah Richards, and Daniel Sturridge) in doubt, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that youth may not be part of the plan after all.

My advice to City would be build their side around these young stars, it has worked for Aston Villa and it will work even better for them if they are reaping the benefits of their own and City’s youth systems.

Arsene Wenger and Martin O’Neill are probably the best managers in the league at nurturing young talent so I’m sure all three players would jump at the chance to work with them but will City really let all three go? Talk about shooting oneself in the foot.

£17 million for your three best prospects sounds like a lot, but they could have gotten that for Richards alone last season.

City surely have to say, No Deal.