Source: Man_City
Richards happy to fly City's Academy flag
| Submit Comments| Comments (11)| Printable Version1/1Play SlideshowClose MapMicah Richards in action against TimisoaraMicah Richards might not have expected to play three of Manchester City?s opening four games ? but he is determined to show he can mix it with the stars. Richards watched on with fascination over the summer as Roberto Mancini added six major signings to his squad. But the Academy graduate was left pondering his own first-team chances when the first of those signings, Jerome Boateng, was brought in from Hamburg for £11m. Germany defender Boateng?s ability to play at right-back as well as centre-half has put added pressure on Richards? place. And there was even speculation over the summer that the 22-year-old England international was on his way out of Eastlands ? although both he and Mancini quickly slapped that down. Instead, it was another versatile former Academy defender who exited the club, as Nedum Onuoha joined tomorrow?s opponents Sunderland on a season?s loan. Onuoha, who has featured at right-back in his first two games for the Black Cats, must sit out Sunday?s clash under the rules of his loan, and Richards is pretty happy about that. He said: ?It wouldn?t have been nice playing against Nedum, because he?s a fast and strong lad, so I?m glad he?s sitting that one out. ?I?m doing all right so far this season. I want to try to keep it going. Last season I had ups and downs due to form and due to injury. School ?This season, I want to stay injury free and give it a right good go. Who knows what can happen? ?Jerome?s out at the moment. He?s a good addition to the side. He was excellent when he made his debut against Valencia in pre-season, and he?ll be a bit of competition when he comes back. ?But the manager says that if you?re playing well, you keep your place, so it?s down to me really.? Onuoha, for his part, is settling into his new surroundings, having spent more than half of his life with the Blues. The 23-year-old, who joined City when he was 10, admitted it felt like the first day at a new school when he arrived at Sunderland. Although he was born in Nigeria, he was raised by his family in Harpurhey as a Blues fan, and Manchester is very much his home city. So before making the switch to the North East, he took some advice from City winger Adam Johnson, who was born and bred in Sunderland. Onuoha said: ?Adam does speak very highly of this area, but he also speaks very highly of Manchester now as well. ?He always used to say it was a good place to play and that did help me to come up here. ?Whoever came in for me was an option I would have to consider.? Onuoha?s enforced absence is likely to give a chance to another defender with strong Mancunian connections ? former United full-back Phil Bardsley, who hails from just over the border in Salford. What is your prediction for the game? Have your say.
