Has anyone ever considered that Richard's 'bulk' may be natural? It's an absolute nonsense to suggest his physique is a result of him pumping iron like some muscle crazed sted-head.
Many players in the past have been bulky and not suffered from persistent injury as opposed to many skinny player (Woodgate) who have suffered from persistent injuries. Being a keen sportsman myself, I know that eating the correct diet, and training using natural momentum ie press ups, sit ups, sprints, distance running, cycling will all burn fat and build muscle mass naturally and don't require hours of iron pumping to get big.
Richards problems stem from his inability to concentrate and read the game and a seeming lack of stamina (which could be a result of a continued lack of match fitness). As a case in point; During the Community Shield, Kolorov lost the ball near the Arsenal area and it pained me to see him wheezing his stiff body back up to our penalty area at practically walking pace. Does anyone blame his lack of stamina on his muscular build (or lack of)?
Some are built as speed machines (Bolt), whilst others are built for endurance (Farrah), so in terms of what they excel at, its all in the genes. Looking at some of the steroid munching meatheads rolling around Manchester, Richards looks anorexic in comparison. Do you honestly think if he was bulking up on purpose which was affecting his performances that the club wouldn't have done something about it by now?
Bulk isn't Richards' problem, its his application to his football and a sense that he thinks he's better than he is. Richards isn't a naturally gifted footballer like Silva, Kompany etc, I see him more like Milner who is a good solid pro who works hard at his craft and concentrates whilst he plays. Richards trys to rely on a natural ability that he doesn't possess, he needs to be told to concntrate and think when he plays as Mancini always alluded to with him and not to lose the natural muscle mass he was born with.
