Behind Richards?Was that before or after the knee operation? https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/micah-richards/verletzungen/spieler/32617Not much choice really. He was behind Zabaleta and Richards at the time and went to the championship. He did well and got transferred to Spurs but again was back up there until Walker came to us. We can't just keep all the youngsters and have 3 players per position in case they become good enough 6 years later. I doubt he would have become good enough without being able to play regular football and he wouldn't have got that with us.
I think our policy with the academy is pretty much spot on at the moment. We're doing the best for club and the best for the players. Very few are going to make it with us. The super talented will stay and be given first team chances (such as Foden and Diaz) to see how they do. Others will be loaned or sold with buyback or sell-on clauses.
The decision with Trippier was the best for all parties (he'd still be back up even if we had kept him). The same with Zinchenko.
He was worth a lot more than what he and Mee were sold for at the time, club trained and English didn't even come into the equation...
Anyway water under the bridge now I'm sure things will change once Pep looks into how the set up is..