Source: SKY_Sports
Richards delighted at City stay
Micah Richards is relieved to still be at Manchester City after emerging from a difficult period in his career.
Just two years ago the 21-year-old was the target of a £15million bid from Chelsea while he was also a regular in the England set-up.
However, the defender's loss of form cost him a spot in City's team and his place in the Three Lions squad before he was restored to right-back.
Slowly but surely the 11-cap international has regained his form and confidence, although the talented youngster never lost belief in his own ability.
"A lot has been said about me, but I have worked hard and I am still in the team," explained Richards. "All players have ups and downs - but I still believe in myself.
"The mentality is different from last season. The mentality now is win, win, win. We go into a game thinking it is a must win if we want to get where we want to be.
Glad"We have players like Tevez, Robinho, Petrov, Ireland, Adebayor, one of the best attacks in the league and we must deliver. I am just glad to be part of it."
City have made a solid start to the new campaign with six points from their opening two league matches and Richards credits their defensive boost to the arrival of Kolo Toure.
The former Arsenal defender swapped the Emirates for Eastlands in the summer and has provided some much-needed experience to City's backline.
City are yet to concede in the league and Richards says Toure's determined mentality has rubbed off on the rest of Mark Hughes' star-studded squad.
"Mentally Toure being here has changed things," he continued. "He is a 100 per cent player every single time.
"His mentality is win, win, win. We have had two league clean sheets now and we're delighted with the defending.
"Last season we were good going forward but did not have the base at the back, but now with the likes of Gareth Barry and Nigel de Jong in front of the back four, we have a bit of steel."
