It's been a great week for the blues, but an emotional morning for fans. They say 'if you love them, let them go', and this summer could see one of our most treasured representatives end his 13-year tenure at the club.
According to Goal.com, Newcastle United lead the race for £7m rated full-back Micah Richards. The defender, who has just one year remaining on his contract, has made 18 appearances in the last 18 months due to a constant fight against injury and Manuel Pellegrini appears to be losing patience with the 'one club man'. His injuries have allowed Pablo Zabaleta to secure his place in the squad as City's first choice right-back and reports suggest the blues will offer Bacary Sagna a three-year contract to cover for the Argentine. Regardless, Richards is certain to wave goodbye to the fans that nurtured him in his days as a promising teen in search for first team football.
An Englishman Manchester City won't allow to leave the club however is James Milner. The midfielder's tenacity has provided Manuel Pellegrini with a vital utility option this season and the Chilean is reportedly keen to offer the player a new deal before he jets off to Brazil for the World Cup. According to the Daily Star, City are likely to offer Milner a three-year-deal which will keep him at the club until 2017 and match his £80,000 a-week wages.
(James Milner has established himself as a vital member of Manuel Pellegrini's squad this season)
After watching Chelsea surrender their command over the title race yesterday afternoon, Manuel Pellegrini has finally admitted that the title is in his side's hands. A John Terry own-goal sealed Chelsea's demise at Selhurst Park on Saturday and the blues now have two games in hand on Mourinho's team which could see them take a four-point lead over the Londoners. Speaking to Talk Sport, the Chilean called on his side to win all of their remaining games, but remained wary of the threat Liverpool carry.
(Manuel Pellegrini's side will pick up the title if they win all of their remaining games)
“If Liverpool beat us it’s another thing. They have to beat us first but also if we win all our games we are the champions,” Pellegrini said.
“The four teams, including Arsenal, have the chance to win the title. I think it’s not easy for the four teams to win all the games from now until the end of the season.
“I think the four teams will drop points because the last part of the Premier League is always more difficult because there are teams battling relegation, too.
“You must ask Chelsea today what happened [in their defeat against Crystal Palace]. We have eight games more and a lot of points to fight for.”
