RICHARDS OUT FOR CHELSEA

Manchester City will be without the services of England right back Micah Richards for the match against Chelsea.

This is a crucial encounter given that Manchester city have been undefeated so far this season. However, Chelsea have a good record against Manchester City at Stamford bridge, and they will be looking to close the gap on the League leaders. Manchester City currently lead the Londoners by a massive 10 points, which could increase to 13 points should City to repeat the 4-2 win they achieved a few seasons ago.

However, this victory stands alone amidst a number of defeats for Manchester City, and Chelsea will certainly be confident about getting a victory in this match. Micah Richards has been one of the influential figures for Manchester city at the right back position this season, although he has not been selected for England on a frequent basis. His injury will mean that manager Roberto Mancini is likely to resort to using Argentinian defender Pablo Zabaleta in his place. This is certainly going to be a weakness Chelsea can exploit given the way Micah Richards has been performing this season.

His performances have been so exceptional that he has managed to keep out Pablo Zabaleta, who was the first team player before the arrival of Micah Richards as a regular member of the first-team squad. Manchester City were defeated in the last season match against Chelsea at Stamford bridge, although it took two late goals from David Luiz and Ramires to seal the points for the Londoners. Many predicted that it is going to be extremely tough for Chelsea to repeat the success this time around given that Manchester city have come out of the blocks in flying fashion. Many regard them to be the next Invincibles after Arsenal.

SPURS CHASING RICHARDS

The Daily Mail reports that Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is set to make a £7 million move for Micah Richards.

It has been suggested that Redknapp may be willing to offer Jermaine Jenas as part exchange.

RICHARDS HAPPY TO SEE HART IN ACTION

Micah Richards has revealed his delight at seeing Joe Hart play in goal for Manchester City. Hart cut short his summer break to join the City squad in the US.

City defender Micah Richards told the club’s website: “It was good to see my good mate Joe Hart back in the squad and making one really good save. At least he remembered his gloves and that was more than he did for his first training session. He was jet lagged! He is a really good mate of mine and hopefully one day soon we will play together for England.”

RICHARDS READY FOR TOUGH FIGHT

Manchester City defender Micah Richards says that he is prepared to fight for his place in the Manchester City squad, having spent the first few games in the Man City Hospitality Packages. The 22-year-old believes that the challenge to hold onto his position will be tested to the full as new signing Jerome Boateng will compete alongside himself and Pablo Zabaleta.

The England international is able to play at both right-back and central defence as can Germany star Boateng.

RICHARDS EYEING ENGLAND RECALL

Manchester City defender Micah Richards says that he is eyeing an senior England recall once again. A chest infection meant that Richards was forced to withdraw from Stuart Pearce’s squad for the victories over Portugal and Lithuania in European Championship qualifiers, but he is not letting that setback discourage his international ambitions, especially since City boss Roberto Mancini recently stated that he thought Richards had huge potential.

“I want to push on and get in the seniors now, and there is no reason why I can’t if I’m starting in Manchester City’s team,” Richards told City’s official website. “When the boss has confidence in you that definitely helps your game, and for him to say that if I concentrate I can become one of the best defenders in England is quite a compliment to get from your manager.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve got the hunger back because I never lost it. But I think the increased competition in our squad has made me play a little bit better. I want that to continue for the rest of the season. “If we can win something for the fans and I’m playing well, then there’s no reason why I can’t get back in the England squad.” Micah Richards, 22, has 12 senior caps to his name, though with others ahead of him in the pecking order he accepts that he may have to wait a little while until the call from Capello comes.

RICHARDS HAPPY TO BE ON THE SCORESHEET

Manchester city defender Micah Richards says that he was happy to get on the scoresheet against Stoke city. City’s England defender fired the Blues ahead in style only for Matthew Etherington to snatch an equaliser in time added on to prevent a second successive away win for Roberto Mancini’s men.

Micah Richards told City’s website: “I thought we defended well, so to concede in the last few minutes was devastating. We knew we’d face a lot of balls in the air and we dealt with them.

RICHARDS HAILS MANCINI

Manchester City defender Micah Richards says that he has got his best form under the stewardship of Italian manager Roberto Mancini. ”Roberto Mancini has given me a lot of confidence. I’m back in the England team and hopefully I can continue to play well. I was chuffed to be captain against Juventus – I was honoured that he chose me.”

A win for City against Everton tonight would see the club go top of the table for Christmas, and Richards believes the club are showing huge signs of improvement as they enter their second with Mancini at the helm.

RICHARDS HAPPY TO BE ON THE SCORESHEET

Manchester city defender Micah Richards says that he was happy to get on the scoresheet against Stoke city. City’s England defender fired the Blues ahead in style only for Matthew Etherington to snatch an equaliser in time added on to prevent a second successive away win for Roberto Mancini’s men.

Micah Richards told City’s website: “I thought we defended well, so to concede in the last few minutes was devastating. We knew we’d face a lot of balls in the air and we dealt with them.

CHELSEA TO MAKE RICHARDS SCOOP

Chelsea are interested in signing Manchester city defender Micah Richards this transfer window. The 22-year-old full-back recently admitted that he could make a move away from the Eastlands outfit in search of regular football, despite making 12 Premier League appearances for the club so far this season.

Now The Mirror claims that the defender held a meeting with manager Roberto Mancini on Thursday, during the course of which he put forward his grievances to the gaffer.

SPURS MONITORING RICHARDS SITUATION

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly monitoring the current situation of Micah Richards at Manchester city. The 22-year-old England international has only started ten games for Roberto Mancini’s side in the Premier League this season and it is understood the defender is becoming frustrated at the lack of first-team opportunities, mainly down to the good form of Pablo Zabaleta.

Redknapp has been a keen admirer of Micah Richards for a while and it is believed the manager will be keeping an eye on the situation before making a decision on whether to bid for the out-of-favour defender.