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Its 10 years since Micah Richards starred on his international debut against the Netherlands. We look at what happened next for the highly-rated England youngster - and how he has ended up fourth-choice at Sky Bet Championship side Aston Villa... On November 15, 2006 in Amsterdam, Micah Richards became Englands youngest-ever defender and earned rave reviews for a brilliant performance against the Netherlands, in which the 18-year-old neutralised the threat of then-Chelsea winger Arjen Robben.Much has changed in the decade since for Richards, who, after suffering relegation to the Championship with Aston Villa, now finds himself down the pecking order at the Midlands club, behind the likes of Tommy Elphick, James Chester and Nathan Baker. With only three appearances to his name this season - the last of which came against Wolves on October 15 and resulted in a knee injury - it is likely Richards will only be given an opportunity should injuries or suspensions occur.A player once heralded as the natural successor to Gary Neville cant even get a game in Englands second tier.Bursting onto the scene, a teenage Richards made his senior club debut against Arsenal in October 2005. He made quite the impression both on and off the field when, after scoring a last-minute equaliser in the FA Cup fifth-round clash with Aston Villa in February 2006, he swore on live television. But, despite his F-bomb blunder, it was refreshing to see a youngster show genuine passion and his youthful exuberance only endeared him further to the City faithful. Six months half price Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch Man Utd v Arsenal on Saturday and get the first six months half price At the time, Nevilles position in Englands defence had seldom been challenged. Glen Johnson and Charltons Luke Young were at the time vying for the spot and Richards rise to national prominence perhaps came too late, as he failed to book himself a ticket for the World Cup in Germany.However, the Birmingham-born star would not have to wait long to figure for his country and was picked by Steve McClaren to play against the Netherlands. He is an exciting player, the new breed of player, said McClaren ahead of the game.He is big, strong, athletic, very quick and has got a fantastic leap on him. He has come into this environment and is not fazed.During McClarens ill-fated tenure, Richards featured 11 times and even netted in a European qualifier against Israel at Wembley in September 2007. The future looked bright. Richards won praise for his defensive performance against Man Utds Carlos Tevez That same season, Richards had cemented himself as a first-choice member of Sven-Goran Erikssons Manchester City side. In the absence of injured Richard Dunne, Richards became the youngest player to captain the club and, during a 1-0 win over Manchester United, he showcased his strength and raw potential in one of his best games. Shackling Carlos Tevez and making a number of important tackles and interceptions, he took home the man-of-the-match award. He was fantastic, said Eriksson. Im not surprised hes been linked with Chelsea, but I really hope we can keep him here because if we get him to sign a new contract that would be our best signing ever.Richards main strength is very much his physical strength. At 511 and 82kg, Richards is built like a light-heavyweight boxer - or to use a common parlance, he is a bit of a unit. Hes by no means a slouch, either. However, by his own admission his pace and natural athleticism have been his safety net in tight situations while he developed the tactical side of his game.People forget I was 18 when I made my England debut, he said. Two years before that I was playing academy football. You cant be tactically brilliant at 18. Stuart Pearce, who handed Richards his City debut, explained the nature of his rapid progression: Micah is one of those who came on the scene and had a meteoric rise. His career stopped a little and then went up again. He is a great talent. I really hope we can keep him here. If we get him to sign a new contract that would be our best signing ever. Sven-Goran Eriksson However, a turning point was to come.The August 2008 takeover of Manchester City by the Abu Dhabi United Group saw an influx of high-profile players, but it was to be the low-key arrival of Argentinas Pablo Zabaleta - who signed a day before the change of ownership - that would have the biggest impact on the long-term future of Richards.Four years on from his England debut, Richards had made just one international appearance under Fabio Capellos reign, coming on as a substitute against France in 2010, despite shining for his club.However, Citys historic title-winning 2011/12 season would mark the beginning of the end for Richards in a sky blue shirt.City fell 3-1 behind to Sunderland at the Etihad in March 2012. With their title aspirations under threat, they battled back to draw 3-3. After the game, despite a collective collapse in defence, it was Richards who was singled out by manager Roberto Mancini for failing to prevent Nicklas Bendtner from scoring.He suffered the ignominy of being taken off at half-time. From then on, he was replaced by Zabaleta as City went on to win the league.Injuries also played a significant part in the demise of Richards, who was referred to as Swarovski by Mancini, suggesting he was fragile like the famous crystals.There was an accumulation of niggles which began at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, where he was injured in a clash with South Korea and meant he was not fit until October. Then, upon his return, he went down against Swansea clutching his knee and was subsequently ruled out for six months. He would play just nine times in the Premier League over the next three seasons. Richards found his opportunities limited at Fiorentina Failure to reaffirm himself in the starting XI meant Richards was now third-choice right-back thanks to the consistency of Zabaleta and the arrival of Bacary Sagna from Arsenal. Two league games all season saw him miss out on a Premier League winners medal and he was released by the club in June 2015.The desire for first-team football took Richards to Fiorentina on a season-long loan, but shortly after he had arrived in Florence, manager Vincenzo Montella changed to a 3-5-2 formation. Richards struggled to find a role and, after just 17 games in all competitions, he signed with Aston Villa on a free transfer, agreeing a four-year contract.Life in the West Midlands began with some promise. Richards was named captain of the club and led them to a 1-0 win away to Bournemouth in their first game of the 2015/16 season. But that was as good as it got for Villa, who failed to register another victory in the league until January 2016. Richards endured an unhappy retun to Manchester City last season with Aston Villa Eventually, with just 17 points to their name, Aston Villa exited the top-flight as the third worst team in Premier League history behind only Derby County (11 points in 2007/08) and Sunderland (15 points in 2005/06) and for Richards, who played 24 times in the league - his highest total since 2011 - it was hardly the return to English football that he would have hoped for.Still only 28, Richards has plenty of playing time left. While it is unlikely he will ever be the powerhouse he once was, when he was touted for stardom, there will be plenty of sides come January who could make use of a man who never truly fulfilled his immense potential. Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price! Also See: Englands best uncapped XI The Southgate debate NFL Authentic Jerseys . 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With his new coach and six-time Grand Slam singles champion Boris Becker watching him during an official match for the first time, Djokovic appeared tentative early against the Slovakian player, who often appeared content to keep the ball in play. From Anand to Usha, athletics to wrestling, Athens to Wimbledon - all these, and more, are contenders for ESPN.ins Top 20 Moments in Indian Sport, as voted for by a panel of 31 experts from across the world of Indian sport. Indian sport today suffers from short-term public memory and the overwhelming popularity of cricket; this list is ESPN Indias way of reviving memories of the feats of days gone by, and of saluting the richness, variety and breadth of Indias sporting history. We know the list will spark debate and discussion - including questioning the very premise of ranking these achievements. Whether you agree or disagree, though, we hope it brings these achievements and achievers back into the spotlight where they belong.Introducing the Top 20 Moments in Indian Sport20Anju Bobby George wins world championship medalAnju Bobby George became the first Indian athlete to win a medal at the World Championships when she won bronze at long jump in 2003.19Ramanathan Krishnan reaches Wimbledon last fourTill date, Ramanathan Krishnan remains the only Indian to get to the semi-finals in the singles event of the tournament.18Gopichand wins the All England OpenIndian badminton entered a new era of dominance with the 27-year-olds come-from-behind victory.17Mary Kom boxes her way into history in LondonThe five-time world champions 2012 Olympic bronze boosted the sports profile and inspired a movie.16Malleswari wins bronze in SydneyIn 2000, the weightlifter became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal when she took third place in the 69kg category.15India win 1962 Asiad football goldThe last great triumph in Indian football came in Jakarta over half a century ago when they beat South Korea 2-1 in front of a hostile crowd.14Wilson Jones is billiards world championIn 1958, the cueist became the first Indian world champion in any sport since the countrys independence.13Leander Paes wins tennis bronze in AtlantaLeander Paes entered the 1996 Atlanta Games as a wildcard, only to end up bagging Indias first individual Olympic medal in 44 years.12PT Ushas gold rush at the 1986 SSeoul AsiadPT Usha made India proud in the Asian Games, winning five medals, including four golds, and setting new records.dddddddddddd11Saina Nehwal rises to world No. 1Saina Nehwals India Open Grand Prix title in New Delhi in April 2015 made her the first Indian woman to reach No. 1 in the world.10Rajyavardhan Rathore wins silver in AthensRathore entered the Mens Double Trap event as the fifth of six finalists, but he delivered under pressure to win Indias first individual silver at the Olympics.9Milkha Singh misses bronze at Rome by 0.1 secondsMilkha Singh was leading in the 400m final but his decision to slow down and glance at his opponents cost him an individual Olympic medal.8Khashaba Jadhav wins bronze at Helsinki OlympicsThe wrestlers trip to the 1952 Games had to be funded by the public. He finished in third place, winning India the countrys first individual Olympic medal.7India win the 1975 hockey World CupIndias domination in world hockey had stuttered a bit from the late 60s. In 1975, normal service was restored when they beat arch-rivals Pakistan in the final.6Sushil Kumar wins his second Olympic medalThe wrestler who became Indias first sportsman to win two individual medals at the Olympics.5India win their first Olympic hockey goldAmsterdam 1928 marked the beginning of a glorious dynasty in the countrys sporting history.4Viswanathan Anand wins the unified Chess title?Anand had been a young prodigy, but he put to rest all doubts over his claims to greatness when he won the world title in 2007.3Prakash Padukone wins the All England OpenPrakash Padukones victory at the All-England in 1980 marked the pinnacle of his career and Indias emergence on the international badminton stage.2No. 2. India win the cricket World CupThe 1983 victory over West Indies was epochal for Indian sport in more ways than one.1No. 1. Bindra guns for gold in BeijingIndias first ever individual Olympic gold is still the countrys greatest sporting success. ' ' '