Manchester City's Vedran Corluka believes Micah Richards is the 'best centre-half in England'.
Croatian labels Richards England's best centre-half
Manchester City's Vedran Corluka believes Micah Richards is the 'best centre-half in England'.
The Croatian's comments follow his summer transfer from Dinamo Zagreb in which he has witnessed Richard's unquestioned ability and potential over the past two months.
The 19-year-old has received rave reviews from pundits after demonstrating some impressive defending in the centre of Sven-Goran Eriksson's defence.
But for England, Steve McClaren has utilised him in the right-back position as he sticks with the established duo of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand.
Pressure
Corluka admits that he knew little of Richards before his move to Manchester, but he has now voiced strong praise for the youngster.
"I didn't know Micah before I came here but now I've watched him in training and in games I think he's already a great player and the best centre-half in England," he told the Daily Star.
England face Croatia on 21st November in the final of their Group E Euro 2008 qualifying games, and Corluka believes the pressure will be on England to secure all three points.
"I've been telling Micah all the pressure will be on England for that game," he explained.
"But Micah is confident too. We must beat Israel and England must beat Estonia and not lose to Russia and then we'll both qualify. That would be good for our countries - and City."
