Richards: Delph asked me about Manchester City move - he needs assurances about first-team football
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8 Jul 2015 08:30:00
The defender says the England international must receive assurances he will play regularly if he is to make the move to Manuel Pellegrini's side
Micah Richards has revealed that new
Aston Villateam-mate
Fabian Delphhas asked him about a potential move to
Manchester City.
Goalrevealed earlier this month that
City are on the verge of making Delph their first major signing of the summer transfer windowby activating his £8 million release clause and paying him £100,000-a-week.
And Richards, who spent 10 years at the Etihad Stadium before signing for Villa in June, says he has spoken with Delph about life at the club.
“He has asked me what I think about the situation. I told him I can’t comment to be honest,” he told reporters at the launch of Aston Villa’s new kit.
“I don’t want to say go there and then he doesn’t play him because he’ll be ringing me up afterwards! It’s tough isn’t it?
“If he’s got guarantees to play? He’s been unbelievable for Aston Villa. Every player wants to play at the highest level. If he’s going to be playing Champions League...I don’t know.
“But if he’s going there to be a squad player, then no [he shouldn’t go]. It would be great for us if he stayed, though.
“You need good players to succeed and that’s what we want here at Villa. You can’t be average players and expect to finish first in the league. You need winners in your team and with Delph we have that.”
However, despite his words of caution Richards does feel that the 25-year-old has what it takes to succeed at the Etihad Stadium.
“James Milner has played in six or seven positions and still wanted to leave,” he added. “So if he [Delph] gets assurances he’s going to play then the decision is his.
“But I wouldn’t say don’t go to Manchester City because if he’s playing well he could play."