The Match of the Day pundit admitted he was “given a bit too much too soon” during his early days at Manchester City, while reflecting on the night in Los Angeles
Video Unavailable
In pictures: Watford v Man City
The sight of young footballers struggling to adjust after being handed huge pay packets is nothing new, but former Manchester City defender Micah Richards has shed light on just how far this can go.
The Match of the Day and Sky Sports pundit broke into Manchester City’s first team shortly before they were taken over by their current owners, with money flowing around the club for new contracts even before then.
Richards was one of the beneficiaries, seeing his weekly wage shoot up tenfold while he was still in his teens, and the former England international has admitted it may have been “too much, too soon”.
In addition to the impact on the pitch, Richards has spoken of one night in Los Angeles when he ended up spending a massive $150,000 (£115k) in a single evening.
What do you make of Richards’ story? Have your say in the comments section
(
Image:
BBC)
Richards made his Manchester City debut at the age of just 17, towards the start of the 2005-06 season, and signed a long-term contract the following year.
The defender played with the likes of Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany during his decade on City’s books, but ended up retiring when he was just 31 after an injury-hit time with Aston Villa.
Now working as a pundit, the 33-year-old shed some light on his situation when he appeared on the Match of the Day Top 10 podcast with Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer.
“I was given a bit too much too soon, so you just down tools a little bit,” Richards said. “I went from £5,000 a week to £50,000 a week from 18 to 19 [years old]. so I’m on £2.5m a year
“I went from £500 to £5,000 a week and it was fully deserved at the time. £50,000 a week it was more because I was an asset.
“I didn’t spent money and waste it because I’ve got loads of property,” the England international added, but he explained the situation was different on nights out.
“It was different because you’re going out and you’re buying everyone… you want to be the man, the man around the town.
“I went to LA one time and honestly in one night we spent $150,000! Honestly, on just drink and having a good time.”
(
Image:
Daily Mirror)
Richards ended up staying with City until the end of the 2014-15 season, winning the FA Cup in 2011 and the Premier League title in 2012.
After a year on loan at Fiorentina, he moved to Villa Park in 2015 and suffered relegation from the Premier League before a knee injury and fitness issues limited his involvement in the Championship.
The last of his 13 England appearances came in February 2012, and his final career appearance of any kind came more than two years before his eventual retirement.
Read More
Read More
