Richards: Henry perfect for City

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Childhood Arsenal fan Richards cites Barcelona's France striker as his favourite player, and admits he would love to see Henry's Nou Camp nightmare ended with a transfer to Eastlands.

And following Robinho's sensational deadline-day switch to City from Real Madrid, the England youngster believes there is no reason why his dream could not become reality, and told the Daily Express: "I was an Arsenal fan as a kid and he's my favourite player. It was a fantastic day for me when I made my City debut against him at Highbury in 2005."

He added: "You never know, it could happen - after all no one believed we would get Robinho. But I've got no inside track on the manager's plans.

"With Shaun Wright-Phillips coming back and the Brazilian boys in the team, we've changed the way we play.

"We're playing entertaining football and scoring lots of goals which the crowd have been crying out for."

Despite the new optimism around the club following their takeover by the Abu Dhabi United group, however, Richards believes an assault on the top four may be out of City's reach this term.

"I think the top six is a more realistic target for us this season than the top four," he added.

"The new owners have said they are not going to rush it. They know it will take time, three or four years, before we become a top-four side. The sooner the better but we will be patient.

"We're not going to become a great team overnight. The defeats against Chelsea and Liverpool showed there is a gap between us and the top four. But we are building towards that target and with the financial backing the club now has there is no reason why we can't get there."