Manchester City fans will have been reeling over the recent news that their star right-back, Micah Richards picked up an injury in an England U-21 game on Thursday evening. Richard’s lasted only three minutes before he went down with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. The news is all the more disappointing considering that Richards had been gathering together plenty of momentum as the season moved into its final stages and was improving performance-wise on a game-by-game basis.
Not only does the injury result in a lack of options in the right-back position for City in the important tail-end of the season, but it also deprives an important player the chance to keep growing and developing.
It’s somewhat surprising, given the strength and depth of City’s squad that they should find themselves in this position. Yet one injury to a key player in combination with the absence of another important versatile defender has left them rather exposed.
The timing of the injury couldn’t be worse. Right-sided City defender Pablo Zabaleta is away from the club dealing with family problems and as a result, City find themselves without any genuine right-backs. If the reports are true and Richards has damaged his hamstring, he could be out for anything up to 4-6 weeks. This means, of course that he would miss the FA Cup semi-final derby and many important games in City’s race to claim fourth place in the Premier League. Is this impetus now with Tottenham?
Some reports suggest that the injury may not be as bad as was first reported. Either way we can expect Richards out for the near future and City have to deal with the fact that they have no clear replacement for him.
It’s clear that Roberto Mancini has little faith in the likes of Boyata and Boateng (both natural centre-backs) who may struggle were they to be played out of position. The trouble is that Richards, beyond his excellent defensive ability, also provided a threat for City going forward. His pace and strength down the wings always give opposition teams something to think of – something that Boyata and Boateng cannot provide to the same degree.
For now I’d be tempted to play Boyata at right-back and keep my fingers cross that either Zabaleta or Richards make a return sooner than they had originally planned. All City fans can do is wish Richards a speedy recovery and hope that his injury doesn’t cost them any success this season.
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Yes, Boateng played at Right Back in the World Cup, so clearly he would not be suitable to play there. Also, even without Toure, we have an excellent centre back pair in Kompany and Lescott, who has returned to his best in a long spell in this position now.
Ill-informed article.
What a stupid article. Why not publish one similar about Spurs when Bale did his hamstring last week or about Man U when the Rafiel got a hamstring or Arsenal when Fabregas did his. Why not indeed.
Bizarre, inaccurate and pointless article,