Micah Richards - Released

[PeterWithesShin]

God forbid we should ever pay the going rate for a player.

There's always going to be a debate about a player who in the last 3 years has played less league football than Vlaar did for us last season.

[aev]

We finished 4th bottom.

We are gambling on a potentially excellent player, and that is exactly what we are left with. We are so far behind the 8 ball that something like this is a real coup - especially if the Sunderland wages are correct.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Statement of intent and all that.

Cleverley signs for Everton!
Vlaar's contract ends!
Benteke's agent's got a big gob!

Micah Richards signs for The Villa!

A strong positive sign for me.
Especially with the news of new owners in the wings.

[Louzie0]

Statement of intent and all that.

Cleverley signs for Everton!
Vlaar's contract ends!
Benteke's agent's got a big gob!

Micah Richards signs for The Villa!

A strong positive sign for me.
Especially with the news of new owners in the wings.

Yay!
Bring on the next one!
Suddenly this summer is exciting 

[kippaxvilla2]

This is interesting if true.

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/583930/Ron-Vlaar-Micah-Richards-Aston-Villa-transfer-news

I think Richards is better than Vlaar if he stays fit.

[cdbearsfan]

I like him. I'd like to see him centre-half. Richards/Okore/Baker/Clark seems like a good defensive partnership. I'm not bothered either way about Vlaar.

[Toronto Villa]

This is interesting if true.

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/583930/Ron-Vlaar-Micah-Richards-Aston-Villa-transfer-news

I think Richards is better than Vlaar if he stays fit.

He was placed on the released list with a contract offer on the table. I thought at one point he wanted to extend but now I don't expect he'll remain with us.

[lovejoy]

I just read the thread, has Richads definitely signed?

[tomd2103]

I like him. I'd like to see him centre-half. Richards/Okore/Baker/Clark seems like a good defensive partnership. I'm not bothered either way about Vlaar.

RB for me.  Richards, a new CB, Clark and a new LB would be a better prospect for next season.  His injury record is a worry, but we've said that about certain defenders before.

[KRS]

This is interesting if true.

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/583930/Ron-Vlaar-Micah-Richards-Aston-Villa-transfer-news

I think Richards is better than Vlaar if he stays fit.

Yeah good luck to Vlaar trying to get his step up move to any of the current top 6 clubs...he'll be dropped like a bomb as soon as he starts making his comical errors and injured every month. Richards is an unknown quantity at the moment but he's still a much better prospect.

[pauliewalnuts]

He's physically a powerful player.

That's about it, though, I think. Played 20 games for Fiorentina, and half of them were in the Europa League or Coppa Italia.

Still, if he's free ....

[brontebilly]

Awful signing, another injury prone has been at the back who gave up playing the game seriously a few years ago. Fits in nicely with the likes of Cole and Senderos.

[ozzjim]

Injury prone, but in truth one of the most highly rated defenders of his generation. Potential if he stays fit to be a top 4 player and regular for England. 65k a week without any transfer outlay is probably about the going rate too. If Sherwood can get 2 months solid football out of Vlaar by managing his body, I am sure he can Richards, I like that he went to Italy for a season too, and that he wants to come enough to turn down others to come here. Good age, potentially top class player. Happier than when we signed Joe Cole this time last year.

[pauliewalnuts]

Injury prone, but in truth one of the most highly rated defenders of his generation.

A bit over the top to say the least!

[Havencheese]

Read an interesting little piece in WSC a while back, on how things didn't seem to be working out for him at Fiorentina due to how the game tends to be played in Italy. So anyone using the argument about him being a dubious signature for us for that reason. I think he'll slot back into regular English football with a point to prove. A very experienced proven signing aged 26 is a good signing. Let's hope his body is up to it for the next few years.