Richards fights for England spot

Manchester City’s Micah Richards believes he has improved immensely as a player since making his international debut as an 18-year-old.

Richards has been in and out of City’s starting side under a succession of managers, and admits that falling out of favour after a bright start to his career knocked his confidence, but now he is ready to fight for his place in the England team.

He told The Guardian: “When I first came in (to the Manchester City team) Stuart Pearce was great for me, gave me my debut at 17.”

“Back then I wasn’t really playing for much and you could just go out there and enjoy it. As I got to 19, 20, 21, it started to get serious, with England and the transformation at City.”

“Seventeen to 19 or 20 I was just getting praise. Then when things aren’t going so well you’re getting most of the stick and it’s hard at such a young age. That’s when your confidence goes.”

“I made my England debut at 18 and I think I’m twice the player I was then.”

However, Richards accepts there is plenty of competition for the starting spot at right back.

“There’s no reason I can’t get in there but it’s about biding my time. Chris Smalling’s come in at right-back,” Richards said.

“He doesn’t like playing right-back but he’s doing a good job for Man United and I’m happy for him because we’re good mates.”

“When I get my chance, I’ll do the same. I do rate Glen Johnson. Kyle Walker’s been doing very well. People always say there aren’t many right-backs.”

Richards also commented on the influence managers have made throughout his fledgling career.

“Mark Hughes really liked me, because he played me in a lot of games, but for some reason I just couldn’t hit the form I wanted. It was nothing personal against him or the way he did things,” he said.

“But now (Roberto) Mancini has installed another belief in me and I’m repaying him by playing well.”

“He’s improved my game a lot. He always tells me: ‘If you’re 100 per cent you can be the best.’ When a manager’s telling you that, you believe him.”

“He had all the money to spend and could have gone out and bought a right-back but he has me and Pablo Zabaleta – we share it out. He’s stuck with me.”