Last term, we saw his surging runs down the flanks in the UEFA Europa League campaign, and continental defenders seemed unable to cope with his raw pace and determination.
The 2010-11 season was one of Richards best, a close contender to the 2007-08 season under the charge of Sven-Gӧran Eriksson when the powerful defender was the Blues' stand out performer.
|Image courtesy of mcfc.co.uk|Since that campaign, Richards has had a tough couple of seasons, finding it hard to cement a regular starting berth. Too many hours in the gym meant that he had bulked up and he lost his pace, and the form of Pablo Zabaleta was inspiring.
But soon the Birmingham-born full-back would regain his form and he became a integral cog in Roberto Mancini's plans last season. Since bursting onto the scene in as a 17-year-old in 2005 against Arsenal, Richards has gone on to make just shy of 200 appearances for City.
Now, at the age of 23, the defender is coming into the peak of his career and is still improving as a professional. The first taste of silverware with last season's FA Cup triumph is just what Richards needed to kick-start a successful career.
The first trophy is always the hardest to secure, but now Richards has sampled glory, he will be hungry for more. Hopefully the hunger will not turn into starvation as the years roll on, but one thing is for certain - he is at the club during an exciting time where trophies are going to be round every corner.
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