It is not at ease with which I type this because I absolutely love him as a player for this club and when I have met him he has seemed a total gentleman. He has also played his part in many memorable victories including all Derby Day ones where Richards and him have been brilliant, the first win over Jose Mourinho's Chelsea (1-0 Anelka penalty) and so many more.
But alas there is no room for sentiment in football. I personally feel that his time as Manchester City captain is over and that Vincent Kompany and Stevie Ireland should be given this role, they can sort out who is captain and who is vice captain amongst themselves for my liking. Now here is the debate. At 29 years of age would he be willing to stay for another year and reach his testimonial of which I believe his deserving and be a squad player? or will he feel at this moment in time given that we are likely to purchase one or more centre halves that the time has come to move on?
Believe me these thoughts have been running through my mind and I have long debated with myself about it but I am going to make the rather bold statement that he is not good enough in terms of ability for where we wish to head as a club. He has been brilliant for us for the circumstances we were in at the time and now we have money to purchase a centre half of superior talent, we must do so. He has been too error prone in my opinion.
Shay and Stevie will be gutted to see him go if he does choose to leave rather than remain a squad player, as will I partially but if he does then I will be quietly more confident that we are moving in the right direction and progressing as a football club on and off the pitch. I'm gutted to post this thread really because I don't like the idea of such a long serving player and fan favourite leaving the club and I expect views to be 50/50.
Come on, help me out here. Over to you ladies and gents.
But alas there is no room for sentiment in football. I personally feel that his time as Manchester City captain is over and that Vincent Kompany and Stevie Ireland should be given this role, they can sort out who is captain and who is vice captain amongst themselves for my liking. Now here is the debate. At 29 years of age would he be willing to stay for another year and reach his testimonial of which I believe his deserving and be a squad player? or will he feel at this moment in time given that we are likely to purchase one or more centre halves that the time has come to move on?
Believe me these thoughts have been running through my mind and I have long debated with myself about it but I am going to make the rather bold statement that he is not good enough in terms of ability for where we wish to head as a club. He has been brilliant for us for the circumstances we were in at the time and now we have money to purchase a centre half of superior talent, we must do so. He has been too error prone in my opinion.
Shay and Stevie will be gutted to see him go if he does choose to leave rather than remain a squad player, as will I partially but if he does then I will be quietly more confident that we are moving in the right direction and progressing as a football club on and off the pitch. I'm gutted to post this thread really because I don't like the idea of such a long serving player and fan favourite leaving the club and I expect views to be 50/50.
Come on, help me out here. Over to you ladies and gents.