Micah Richards wants to be a one-club man and remain with City for the rest of his career.

The versatile defender, still only 25, has been the subject of Press speculation of late, linking him with possible moves to Germany and Italy, but Micah was happy to quash suggestions he wants a move elsewhere as the Blues began the Hong Kong leg of their summer tour.

“Manchester City is my club and I’ve never considered playing anywhere else,” he said. “I think there has been speculation because I’ve got two years left on my contract and Pablo Zabaleta had a fantastic season.

“He’s outstanding but that’s what you expect at top teams - you expect competition. The season before we won the Premier League and I had a good year but now I’m just happy to be back fit

 

I only played seven games last season after coming back from six or seven months out injured. That’s hard for any player and I’m just delighted to get a pre-season under my belt

 

...Micah Richards...

 

“Last season was a bit of a nightmare with injuries. I picked up the ankle problem at the Olympics and came back from that and then tore my cartilage.

“The main thing is to be playing. I know there are a lot of games and I don’t expect to play every game but the season we won the title me and Zaba rotated really well together so if we can do that this season I’ll be happy.”

INT

Micah believes City’s stars weren’t aligned last season with injury problems throughout the squad and failure to kick on after the incredible title triumph the campaign before.

He believes a fully-fit City squad are a match for anyone and that the upcoming season will be different to the somewhat flat campaign of last season.

“After winning the league you want to come back and retain it,” he said. “I was missing, Vinny was missing and Sergio was missing and Yaya was away for five weeks. People think you just need a good starting eleven, but you need a strong squad to challenge for places and come in and compete when necessary.

“Last season we were a bit short on numbers and in the end it showed with the massive gap with United. Their squad has become amazing now and they’ve got just as good a side as us now so it’ll be tough this year but we’re looking forward to the challenge.”