In one of the more ambitious moves of the summer, Micah Richards is set to join Fiorentina on loan for the remainder of the season.
The 26-year-old was once dubbed as one of the brightest young talents in England, but he has seen his career stall somewhat in recent times. Richards has not been involved in the Manchester City side at all in the opening weeks of the current campaign, and he has played just nine times in the Premier League since the start of the 2012-13 season.
Richards has now flown to Italy to finalise a loan move to Fiorentina, after being told by Manuel Pellegrini that he is surplus to requirements. This is certainly an ambitious move for the player, and one which should be applauded, as it is believed a number of clubs, including Everton and West Ham United, were willing to offer him the chance to remain in the Premier League.
It is fair to suggest that the defender is one of the players who has suffered since the Blues have been elevated into one of the richest clubs on the planet, although he will leave the Etihad Stadium with an FA Cup winners medal from 2011, when he completed 90 minutes against Stoke City in the final, and a league title medal from the following year.
Fiorentina began their Serie A campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Roma on Saturday evening, and resume their campaign when Genoa visit the Stadio Artemio Franchi in a fortnight. Richards could well be in line to make his debut in this match, as he looks to begin an adventure he hopes will get his career back on track at club and international level.
