Manchester City defender Micah Richards is ready to fight for a defensive slot with new boy Jerome Boateng. After fighting form and fitness last term, Richards was expected to play back-up this season and Boateng was drafted in for £11 million from Hamburg.
Speaking to the club's official website, Richards declared he was ready to fight the Bundesliga arrival all the way next term.
"He [Boateng] is like me; he can play happily in both so I can see a battle ahead! We are around the same age and I am sure we can spur one another along," Richards said.
"I am well up for the challenge of what lies ahead. There have been lots of things said and written about my future at City this summer but I think from the effort I have put in during training and in the pre-season games that it is evident to everyone that I want to stay at City.
"It does affect your concentration when you are consistently linked with a move away or people are talking about you being replaced - especially as I have been here for so long.
"Sometimes you get a bit down when these things are constantly being said and I play best when I am happy and confident which I am at the moment."
