Micah's staying put, says Eriksson

Richards was already entrenched on the radar at Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea before his man-of-the-match performance for England provided some consolation at Wembley on Wednesday night.

Scroll down to read more:

Richards: 'Intelligent'

The 19-year-old Birmingham-born defender, a £20million target last season, has still to be persuaded to sign the improved deal that has been on the table for some time.

But manager Eriksson insisted that new owner Thaksin Shinawatra's fortune means that City are no longer vulnerable to the advances that spirited £21m Wright-Phillips away to Chelsea two years ago.

"I can understand the fears," said Eriksson. "If you are a small club or have no money, then you have to do that. I was working at two clubs in Italy where you had that, and it's always sad. You just say 's***'.

"That's Italian, yes. That's life. You know as a manager when you go to a club like that it is what you have to do to survive, and it's right, too. But we are very lucky — I don't think we are in that situation at all. I wouldn't have come here if that had been the case, I'll be honest. "I wouldn't have been attracted to the club. I know they are talking about his contract. This club will do everything to keep a player like that. We have absolutely no intention of selling him and he is happy here.

"I'm here for the next three years, I hope he will be also. Manchester City are hopefully going to get better and better as he gets better and better also. He will want to win things and so do we."

Eriksson, who watched Brazil on Wednesday rather than his former England charges, has told successor Steve McClaren he is 'sure they will qualify' despite the current gloom surrounding the team.

He admitted it was no surprise to him that versatile Richards — who has also played in midfield for City — should offer hope for the future as a raiding right back who deeply troubled the Germans.

McClaren gave Richards his debut at 18 last November in a 1-1 draw against Holland in Amsterdam. Yet, Eriksson revealed he had pencilled in the youngster as back-up for the World Cup squad in Germany 15 months ago.

He said: "Micah was a really good player before I came here and I knew he was. He was on the list to be standing by for the last World Cup but unfortunately he was injured so I couldn't pick him.

"I knew he was an exceptional footballer with all the fantastic qualities he has, and he can be better. He doesn't need to be stronger or quicker. The more he plays at this level, he will get technically better — things like first touch and playing the ball quickly. Sometimes you make mistakes, he will make fewer.

"So he will get better, but he is already very good. If you talk just about defending, then he has it all. You can always improve your passing — he is not yet Beckenbauer. That is not a fair comparison!"

Eriksson discussed his plans to instal Richards at centre half this season with former No 2 McClaren. He said: "Micah will tell you it doesn't matter to him where he plays — at least, that's what he told me.

"He said, 'I couldn't care less!' On Saturday he will not play right back against Arsenal but in the middle. Before I picked him as a centre half I spoke to Steve McClaren because I didn't want him to lose his place in the national team. Steve said that it didn't matter. It's a problem I wish that I'd had!

"Micah will handle the spotlight very well. I don't think he will start to fly over the other players. He's a good boy not only on the pitch but in the dressing-room, and it's in his character to laugh easily. He's intelligent enough to know life in football is ups and downs. I don't think I need to tell him that."