Player Focus: Richards Still Capable of Reviving Club & International Career
With a move to Aston Villa apparently imminent for Micah Richards it seems one of England's forgotten young stars of the past will return to the Premier League this summer. Released by Manchester City after a loan spell with Fiorentina fell somewhat flat, the defender, still only 26, will be hoping to revive a career that promised so much back in his hometown of Birmingham, at least it seems.
It's worth remembering just what a talent Richards possessed as a youngster before a number of injuries disrupted his progression at City, along with the club's penchant to look further afield in terms of recruitment in their quest for glory. The defender, after all, became the Manchester outfit's youngest ever captain, skippering the side against Villa as a 19-year old in the absence of Richard Dunne, who would also go on to turn out for the Midlands outfit.
His sheer power from such a young age made him an intimidating prospect for opposition wingers and saw him earmarked as England's first choice right-back for many years to come. Richards would make his Three Lions debut aged just 18 and was seen as a near-certain successor to international stalwart Gary Neville.
However, as can often be the case with players who play with such aggression and explosiveness Richards would quickly see his senior career blighted by lay-offs in the treatment room. Perhaps the most telling statistic of his time at City in particular saw him make 26 starts as a teenager in the 2006/07 season – only making more than that in one other Premier League campaign, in 2008/09. He would then not be back above the 20-mark until 2011/12 - incidentally City's first title-winning campaign.
Richards played a significant part in that success under Roberto Mancini, with no defender picking up more assists (5) in England's top-flight that season, but would lose his place to Pablo Zabaleta. The Argentine was one of very few full-backs in the country who could match Richards' athleticism and drive going forwards and would prove far less susceptible to injury, ultimately meaning the Englishman's days at the Etihad were numbered.
A move to Serie A and Fiorentina certainly seemed an odd one last summer, with no shortage of suitors from the Premier League at the time, and it would prove to be poor fit as far as both player and club were concerned. Across just 18 appearances in the league, Europa League and Coppa Italia, Richards rarely disappointed but the now departed Viola manager Vincenzo Montella remained unconvinced.
Switching between a back three and back four, Richards was capable of playing in either system, be it at centre-back or on the right, but was out of favour in either position, despite the fact that Fiorentina lost just 3 of said 18 appearances last season. He completed the 90 minutes in just 9 of those games, with Fiorentina running out winners in all but two, including victories against the likes of Juventus in the Coppa Italia and Tottenham in the Europa League.
It's clear that when Richards was given the nod he was on hand to play a part in a successful side. Indeed, across 11 starts in Serie A and Europe the City graduate would earn an impressive WhoScored.com rating of 7.33, with his average score over the two competitions brought down to a still respectable 7.06 courtesy of 5 sub appearances.
Looking rather at his statistics per 90 minutes than per appearance, Richards produced 3 tackles and 3 interceptions on average in Serie A, whilst maintaining an impressive pass accuracy of 87.9%. Meanwhile he showed that he could still pose a threat, utilising his pace going forwards to complete 2.2 dribbles per 90 minutes, which was bettered only by wingers Salah, Joaquin and Cuadrado.
The stats certainly highlight that Richards still has plenty to offer and if Aston Villa can secure his signature on a free transfer it should still be considered something of a coup for the club. How Tim Sherwood would choose too utilise the defender would be interesting were he to arrive at Villa Park, with Ron Vlaar widely expected to be heading the other way and the manager looking to bolster his ranks across the back line.
Richards' versatility in that sense would be a real benefit to the side and should he steer clear of injury, the 26-year old will still harbour hopes of a return to the international stage. His reputation as a youngster means that the wage demands represent something of a gamble but as far as Aston Villa are concerned it remains one that is well worth taking.
Can Micah Richards revive his club career to the extent that he returns to the reckoning for England? Let us know in the comments below
