Thursday 11 September 2014 16:38, UK
Micah Richards has outlined his reasons for leaving Manchester City and joining Fiorentina on a season-long loan deal.
The England international defender moved to the Italian club on transfer deadline day and was unveiled on Thursday.
The 26-year-old right-back, who has struggled with injuries in recent years, is determined to succeed with Fiorentina and has hailed their “very impressive” project.
“I have been a player for 12 years at City,” Richards told reporters. “In the past year, 18 months, I have not played as much.
“I had other offers, but the project at Fiorentina was very impressive. I believe that I can help us to achieve our goals, together with my team-mates.
“As you know, I had a serious knee injury. When I returned, (Pablo) Zabaleta had taken over my starting spot.
“I would have liked to have continued the adventure with City, I was also offered a renewal, but my objective was to try a new adventure in another European League.
I would have liked to have continued the adventure with City, I was also offered a renewal, but my objective was to try a new adventure in another European League.
“It was frustrating to stay on the sidelines. Zabaleta has played very well in recent years.
"With Roberto Mancini there was a lot of rotation with the full-backs, whilst with the new manager (Manuel Pellegrini) there was less space and for this reason I decided to leave.”
Richards has also revealed that he spoke to former Fiorentina players Matija Nastasic and Stevan Jovetic (both now at City) and Stefan Savic, who joined the Serie A club from the Premier League champions in August 2012.
“I spoke with JoJo, Savic and Nastasic and they told me wonderful things about Fiorentina and Florence,” Richards added.
“As soon as I arrived I realised that they were right, the atmosphere is perfect to do well. I spoke with the staff at Fiorentina and they have told me that they want to invest in new talent. The club is going in the right direction.
“I have not spoken of clear objectives, we want to do well, perhaps in being able to qualify for the Champions League.
“I have always watched Serie A from the outside. The pace is less, but there is more on tactics and technique. On these things I hope to improve, making use of the work done with Roberto Mancini.”
