Manchester City defender Micah Richards has confirmed that he previously has turned down offers to join both Manchester United and Chelsea in past transfer windows.
The 26 year-old now finds himself on loan with Fiorentina, and the revelation came in the wake of the Serie A side’s Europa League clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday.
And when discussing the previous offers, Richards says it would’ve been tough to leave his boyhood club for another English side:
”I probably wouldn’t have left. I had a chance to go to Chelsea five years ago, and Manchester United, but I didn’t feel it was right. I always enjoyed City.
They gave me a chance at such a young age [17]. I’ve been a bit unfortunate because, whenever I picked up some form, I got a niggling injury. With City, if you get an injury you can find yourself out of the team for months.”
It is unsure yet whether Richards will sign permanently with Fiorentina having yet to fully establish himself in the starting XI. However, staying in Italy could be an option with former boss Roberto Mancini rumoured to be looking at bringing him to Inter Milan.
And Richards says wherever he is next season, he wants to be playing regular first-team football.
”I do feel it is closed now at City for me unless Roberto Mancini got the job and wanted to bring me back in!
“Wherever I go next, or stay at Fiorentina, I want to be first choice. It’s nothing to do with money. If it was for money, I’d have signed at City.”
By Matt Derrig
