Richards must wise up to play for England - Mancini
Published 22:00 18/11/11 By David McDonnell
Roberto Mancini has told Micah Richards to "pick up his brain" if he wants to reclaim his England place.
Richards was the shock omission from Fabio Capello's last England squad, given the right-back's outstanding form for Manchester City this season.
But City boss Mancini hinted at the reason for fellow Italian Capello's decision not to include Richards, by pointing to the 23-year-old's occasional lapses in concentration.
"Sometimes, Micah's body is on the pitch, but his mind is left at home," said Mancini.
"For this, he can improve - if he can remember to pick up his brain. I say this because I love Micah, like I love all of the players.
"He has everything. He's strong, he's quick, he's strong in the air and he can play different positions.
"But Micah is still young. In the last year he has improved a lot as a player but I think he needs to improve more. He has good quality but sometimes Micah thinks he can play at 50 per cent.
"If Micah plays to 100 per cent, he can become one of the top full-backs in Europe."
Richards made history in November 2006, when he became England's youngest-ever defender, making his senior-side debut at age 18 against Holland in a friendly.
Since then, he has earned 12 caps, but sat in the stands in Montenegro last month as Capello went with Manchester United centre-half Phil Jones at right-back in England's final Euro 2012 qualifier.
With United duo Jones and Chris Smalling, as well as Tottenham's Kyle Walker and Liverpool's Glen Johnson, all competing for the England right-back slot, Richards faces a battle to re-establish himself under Capello.
Yet the stats show he is ahead of his rivals in terms of tackle success rate and assists, and also when it comes to chances created per minute. But still he is overlooked by Capello.
Mancini revealed his compatriot had spoken only once with him about Richards, hinting that the England boss felt the player had to improve before he could force his way back into the Three Lions squad.
"We have spoken about Micah only once, about six months ago," said Mancini. "My opinion is that he has improved a lot since then, but he can improve more and, for Capello, it's not easy to choose because there are a lot of good players.
"It's clear some players will have to stay at home for the European Championships, but I hope that Micah can go."
City take on third-placed Newcastle today, the only other side unbeaten in the Premier League this season.
With a crucial game away to Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday, followed by a trip to Liverpool next weekend, Mancini admitted the next few weeks could define his side's season.
"I think crucial moment is these next couple of months," he said. "This month, December and January will be the crucial moment, because we meet Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, and also have the Champions League.
"For these reasons, I think it will be a very important two months.
"But I don't think the players have pressure. They are confident.
"We have played only 11 games in the Premier League, but we played well against top teams like Tottenham and United.
"I don't think we're playing better than Real Madrid and Barcelona, but probably at the same level. We are very close with these teams.
"But if we want to continue to stay at the top we have to continue to work very well every week, because the season is long and hard."
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