Richard is in Sweden along with the rest of the Blues squad as they continue to prepare for the new Premier League season, and he insists that he has as much to prove to Sven-Goran Eriksson as anyone.
“I’m the same as all the other players,” he says. “I have to prove myself to the Manager and prove that I’m good enough. All the players are in the same boat and I want to impress the Manager and have a future at this football club.
“Everybody knows we need to strengthen but I think that players want to be part of this club at such an exciting time.”
Despite the increased media focus on the club with the arrival of the new manager, Richard has explained why he thinks that there has been a new and improved attitude around the camp since pre-season training resumed.
“The Manager’s relaxed attitude is part of that because we are working at a club with greater ambitions than before. Pressure comes with that, it’s to be expected, and we need to thrive on that. We’re professionals, we must set ourselves higher targets.”
City’s first full day in Sweden saw the squad have two training sessions at Örgryte IS’ ground in Varlberg, where they will play on Wednesday night. As well as further strength and conditioning work, the whole squad played in a short 11-a-side game where young defender Shaleum Logan, on his first pre-season tour with the senior squad, looked impressive.
New striker Rolando Bianchi joined in with his new team-mates, and the squad will welcome midfielder Gelson Fernandes when the new signing arrives on Tuesday.
