Aston Villa captain Micah Richards believes he is as good as any current England international as he looks to win his first cap since 2012.
Richards, 27, joined Villa on a free transfer over the summer in an attempt to finally secure regular playing time following several years of disappointment at Manchester City.
The versatile defender has not featured for England since playing against the Netherlands at the end of February in 2012, but believes he is good enough to earn his spot back with the Euros around the corner.
“I’m hoping if I do get the chance [to play for England again] then I can take it because when I’m fully fit I believe I’m as good as anyone in the England squad,” Richards told TalkSPORT. “That’s not in a big-headed way, that’s just what I believe and I think I’ve proved that.
“I was 18 when I played for England and I’m a much better player now that I was then. It’s just how football is – people get certain chances and then everything changes.
“If Stuart Pearce was the manager now I’d probably be the first name on the team sheet, so it just depends. But I’m focusing on Villa now. I feel good and hopefully these niggly injuries are behind me.”
Richards has featured in every minute of Villa’s opening five matches so far this season and of English defenders to have made at least two Premier League appearances this season only Chris Smalling (7.46) has a higher WhoScored rating than the Villa captain (7.37).
For more stats on Micah Richards, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
