Richards backed by Mancini

Defender buoyed by words of praise

Last updated: 14th January 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Richards backed by Mancini

Richards: Backed by Mancini

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Micah Richards has been told by boss Roberto Mancini he has the potential to become a "great player".

The 21-year-old is enjoying an impressive run in the Manchester City side and scored a fine goal in Monday's 4-1 victory over Blackburn.

Richards was criticised for some of his performances last season but appears to have regained his best form of late, and is even being touted for a return to the England squad.

The defender has been flattered by the recent attention and feels he can go from strength to strength under the guidance of Mancini.

"The boss told me that I was a good player but that if I listened and learned he would turn me into a great player," Richards told the club's official website.

"Those words were really encouraging but I know that it is down to me to work hard.

"I keep saying it but I am still young. There are aspects of the game that only come with experience and I am gaining that all the time whether I am in or out of the side.

"I know I had a dip in form last season but I believe that I have been better this time around and in recent weeks I have done okay.

"All I am concentrating on at the moment is playing well, winning games and staying in the side when the injured players come back."

Happy at Eastlands

Richards has repeatedly been linked with a move away from Eastlands but insists he is perfectly happy with life in Manchester.

He added: "Everyone seems to get linked with someone at various stages of the season, and me more than most.

"I have always said that I wanted to stay here so I don't know why these rumours keep appearing.

"I have not expressed any wish to leave and yet some people are reporting things as if they are done deals. Why would I want to leave a club that is so obviously on the up and up?

"There is still so much for me to learn and my best is to come, and this will be great place to be in coming seasons, I am sure of that."