Manchester City Transfer Rumors: Why City Must Keep Micah Richards

He might be due in the capital to contest the football Olympics for Team Great Britain, but Micah Richards might find himself in Milan or Madrid come the end of the summer.

So say talkSPORT, who have recently linked Manchester City defender Richards with a move to AC Milan or Real Madrid.

Even allowing for the fact that Pablo Zabaleta was Roberto Mancini’s first choice in the tail end of last season, a Richards exit would be quite a shock.

Let’s look at a few reasons Manchester City must keep Micah Richards.

He’s England’s Best Right-Back

First, the footballing reason: Micah Richards is a damn good right-back.

In fact, as a full-back, he has it all: pace, stamina, physique, heading, scoring ability, crossing and assisting from the flanks.

That he didn’t make Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the 2012 European Championships doesn’t mean that he’s no good.

Quite the contrary, in fact: Micah Richards may well be England’s best right-back.

He’s Part of City’s England Contingent

Speaking of England, Manchester City might be the best represented in the current England team.

Discounting Richards, they have Joe Hart, Gareth Barry, James Milner, Adam Johnson and Joleon Lescott, all regulars for England in the past couple of seasons.

While diminishing the City influence within the England camp will probably not factor into Mancini’s mind, he would do well to keep in mind that Richards is homegrown.

And in a squad as international as City’s, having a homegrown first-team player is key.

He’s the Shining Star for the City Academy

Not to mention that Richards is one of City’s own youth products.

The flag-bearer of the Manchester City youth academy, he is the only academy graduate in the City first team at the moment.

That adds to the importance that he plays in the club’s future.

As the City owners have shown this summer, they are planning more low-key transfer windows in the future and will focus on youth and internal promotion.

Having Richards as a mainstay of the City first team will do wonders in inspiring the next generation to come through.

He’s City Through and Through

Last but not least: Micah Richards is currently the vice-captain of Manchester City.

It’s all well and good being homegrown and a youth product, but Richards goes that extra bit further by showing leadership and maturity on the pitch.

Having made his debut for City back in 2005, he seems to have been around forever, but we’d do well to remind ourselves that he is still only 24.

One-club men are few and far between these days.

Sometimes it’s because they’re not quite good enough.

Richards is, and he should stay at the Etihad Stadium for a long time to come.

Also check out: Why City Shouldn’t Sign Van Persie

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