Micah Richards would love to spend his entire career at Manchester City, but he accepts that this may not be possible.
The England international is a product of the Blues academy system, having initially joined their youth system back in 2001 when he was just 13. He made his first team debut in 2005 and has now gone on to make over 170 league appearances, but since the arrival of Sheikh Mansour he has found it difficult to command a regular start.
Richards played just seven times in the Premier League last season and has featured just twice this term, raising speculation that he could soon be forced out of the Etihad Stadium, and as much as the 25-year-old would love to sign a new deal to remain at City, he accepts that he may have to look elsewhere unless his situation improves.
“I’d sign tomorrow but I’ve been here 11 years,” the defender told The Sun. “I’m getting to that age where I’m not 18 anymore. I’m 25 and you really want to be playing every week. If I can do that here, it would be perfect. I don’t really ever want to leave City, but there might come a time when I have to assess it and see where I am.”
Meanwhile, City, who suffered another defeat on the road when they lost at Sunderland on Sunday, have been dealt a blow with the news that captain Vincent Kompany faces another three weeks on the sidelines. The inspirational centre-half last played in the 3-1 win against Everton seven matches ago, during which he picked up a thigh injury.
Whilst much has been made of the inconsistent form of Joe Hart, who has since been replaced by Costel Pantilimon, there is little doubt that the player Manuel Pellegrini is missing the most is the Belgian international. The Blues look a different proposition with him in their back four, and if they are to bounce back from their latest loss to launch a title bid, they need the former Anderlecht and Hamburg ace back in the XI.
