Micah Richards admits error after naming Prem side as CL dark horses

Pundit Micah Richards

Chelsea have every chance of winning the Champions League this season after pundit Micah Richards admitted he had badly judged the Blues’ decision to fire Frank Lampard and replace him with Thomas Tuchel.

The Blues have been in brilliant form since Tuchel replaced Lampard in January. They are unbeaten in 14 games since the German’s appointment, having only conceded an incredible two goals in that time. During that time, Chelsea have climbed from ninth to fourth in the Premier League and are also into the FA Cup semi-finals.

However, it’s in the Champions League that Richards feels offers Chelsea a genuine chance of success.

“Chelsea are dark horses you know,” Richards told the latest Super 6 Podcast. “I did a piece a couple of months ago saying it’s a disgrace that Frank Lampard is out the door. And then Tuchel comes in and I was like ‘how’s that? No!’

“But actually look at them now. They’ve only conceded like two or three goals. They’ve got Porto next [in the Champions League] and then Real Madrid or Liverpool. Neither of them are playing that well and then next thing, they’re in the final.”


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Richards on Aguero departure

Chelsea could of course meet Manchester City in an all-Premier League final in the Champions League. That would be a fitting finale for the departing Sergio Aguero, who has announced he will leave this summer.

The striker leaves the Etihad as an icon and Richards, having set up his first-ever goal for Man City, had nothing but praise for the striker.

Sergio Aguero is 'irreplaceable'

Sergio Aguero is 'irreplaceable'

Pep Guardiola says Sergio Aguero is 'irreplaceable', as the striker prepares to leave Manchester City at the end of the season.

“I was on the radio when news that he was leaving broke. I’ve been speaking to Sergio asking him if he’s alright. We’ve arranged to go for dinner after lockdown, that sort of thing. When the news broke – and you know me, I’m always laughing and joking – I was devastated.

“There was no point me doing the last hour of the show because I couldn’t process it. There are people who make a mark on clubs and he was a genuine, real world-class superstar legend. Not just at Man City but of the Premier League. To see that end of an era after all he’s done for the club, it was hard.

“For me the timing of it was harder to accept. They’re still in four competitions, and to announce that now, will it cause some unrest in the camp.”

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