Richards holds Henry hope

Blues defender would welcome childhood hero at Eastlands

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 25th October 2008

Richards holds Henry hope

Richards: Exciting times ahead for City

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Micah Richards admits French star Thierry Henry would be a dream signing for Manchester City.

The Blues have rocketed to the top of football's rich list on the back of a takeover from the Abu Dhabi United Group, with the world's best players now featuring on their shopping list.

The arrival of Brazilian superstar Robinho for a British record transfer fee on deadline day signalled their intentions, while countless other top stars have been linked with a switch to Eastlands.

Barcelona striker Henry is just one of those names linked with Mark Hughes' ambitious side, with Richards revealing that anything now appears possible at City.

Entertaining

"I was an Arsenal fan as a kid and he's my favourite player. It was a fantastic day for me when I made my City debut against him at Highbury in 2005," Richards told the Daily Express.

"You never know, it could happen - after all no one believed we would get Robinho. But I've got no inside track on the manager's plans.

"With Shaun Wright-Phillips coming back and the Brazilian boys in the team, we've changed the way we play.

"We're playing entertaining football and scoring lots of goals which the crowd have been crying out for."

City's new-found wealth has seen them tipped as the ideal candidates to break the 'big four' monopoly which currently dominates the upper echelons of the Premier League.

Patient

However, Richards has called for caution, believing it will take time for the Blues to be considered genuine UEFA Champions League contenders.

"I think the top six is a more realistic target for us this season than the top four," added the England international.

"The new owners have said they are not going to rush it. They know it will take time, three or four years, before we become a top four side. The sooner the better but we will be patient.

"We're not going to become a great team overnight. There is still a gap between us and the top four.

"But we are building towards that target and with the financial backing the club now has there is no reason why we can't get there."