Pearce eyes Richards stay
29 Nov 2006 - 09:27:18
Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce is hoping to fend off any possible bids for Micah Richards in the January transfer window, with rumours suggesting a big-money approach from Chelsea.
The 18-year-old defender, who recently made his full England debut, is being mentioned as a £15million target for the Blues, who paid the Citizens £21million for Shaun Wright-Phillips in the summer of 2005.
However, a defiant Pearce told The Times: "I am not actively looking to sell Micah because he has a great future here.
"Whatever offers come in for him, it is going to take a ridiculously big offer to get him out of this football club.
"The offer they (Chelsea) made us for Shaun had to be in that region to get him out of here, and the financial situation was such that we had to accept that offer.
"Things have changed at the club since then. The Shaun money is in the bank and things are on an even keel.
"While we cannot go out and spend multi-millions on players, we have not got the bank knocking on the door.
"I would love to see Micah stay here, captain the club and maybe be here for ten years and carry the club on his back if he can.
"He is good enough to do it. I have not worked with anyone so good and so young."