Sunday, November 19, 2006

Could SWP be the key to Richards sale?

A lot has been made in the aftermath of Micah Richards England debut about the praiseworthy comments from Chelsea players John Terry and Arjen Robben and how this could be designed to be a 'plea' to the club to sign him and turn Richards' head towards West London.

How likely it is that Chelsea will bid for Richards I don't know, but if Chelsea were to make a bid (I would guess in the region of £10-£15 million) and the City board accepted then the disillusionment seen in recent times would pale into insignificance and they would have a full scale revolt on their hands as another one of the 'crown jewels' is sold to pay off debts.

One thing that has been mentioned to 'smooth' any deal is the possibility of Shaun Wright-Phillips returning to City as part of a trade between the two clubs.

We are all well aware of how Wright-Phillips' career has gone since he left the club and now he is little more than a bit part player for Chelsea, looking shorn of the swagger and confidence we witnessed and logic suggests that he needs to leave the Stamford Bridge to get his career back on track.

Now, could this be where the City board attempt to soften the blow of a Richards sale by including Wright-Phillips in any deal? Although less than eighteen months since his departure his value is nowhere near the £24 million received from Chelsea so could Chelsea be tempted to part with cash plus Wright-Phillips for Richards?

The board know the regard Wright-Phillips was held in, and many still cry out for his return to a side that in the main is devoid of the creative spark he brought during his latter days, and maybe they would believe a returning Wright-Phillips would be an acceptable return in any sale involving Richards.

Personally, I would be dead set against any move. For a start I don't know if Wright-Phillips would be prepared to come back to the club - in some ways tail between his legs and branded as a failure, even if Chelsea were willing to let him go - something I'm not sure they would do.

But the main reason is the potential of Richards. Although he has made his debut for England as a right-back and has been touted as a future centre-half, I believe his ideal position is in central midfield in the mould of Patrick Vieira, where he could dominate a game.

At this point in time, Richards for me has the greater potential of the two impact wise in the long run and I would see it as a gamble to bring back Wright-Phillips as he may not regain the heights to which he achieved at the club and a risk not worth taking if it means sacrificing Richards.

If there was a chance of landing Wright-Phillips without having to give up Richards then that is a different matter entirely...

vote it up!

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Done deal, I'm afraid, along with Distan plus cash to Spurs for Defoe.

Anonymous said...

Why would Richards drop down the league to Spurs?

Anonymous said...

Richrds in exchange for SWP + Cash?!?! Oh come now. City's board valued SWP at £21 million and think they can get the same player back, plus cash. It's ridiculous!

Anonymous said...

Micah has done well so far, but he hasn't yet developed a shape to his game. For example - you can't turn round and say he plays like Colin Bell (Stevie Ireland does - come on Stevie beef up for God's sake!!)

I would be dubious about bringing SWP back, for the simple reason that Sun isn't fit, and shows no sign of getting fit. And people don't realise how much SWP owed to Sun's surging overlaps on the right wing.

Now SWP in combination with Micah...! Get in!

Anonymous said...

I think the young man in question will have to prove he is worthy of the risk of signing him after his numourous tantrums and agent problems. The guy is talented & so is Barton, but for Chelsea its as important how mature a player is as a person to make sure he is not a cancer in the dressing room. Why do you think Chelsea didnt try and sign Rooney?

Anonymous said...

Distan to Spur's dummie.

Anonymous said...

wigan blue. you are off your head.
how can you say that sun made swp look good. you are either on drugs or just a complete idiot. i would have swp back tomorrow as would 99% of city fans.

Anonymous said...

"You lippy monkey"??????

Anonymous said...

What makes anyone think SWP will take a massive wages cut to come back? Get real!!!!!

Anonymous said...

SWPas he said on season review dvd was how he loved it at city and he had singed a four year deal that he wanted to see through.Keep richards any day because if he goes to chelsea he wont get a game either.Love to have swp back but not sure it would work out .PERSONALLY it serves him right as he was first on the team sheet at city.

Anonymous said...

Is it any wonder city dontwin anything when thy keep selling there best players. I know they cost us nothing and it would be nice to be in the black but the board keep saying we are going in the right direction.CRAP the only way forward is to win things and keep your best players to attract better players to the club.

Anonymous said...

Like I said, it IS a done deal.

Anonymous said...

Some strangely differing viewpoints in your posts there Mr Anonymous. I wouold say you need serious help for schizophrenia.