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| Pearce plays down Richards report | Pearce plays down Richards report |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce insists Chelsea have not made contact about signing £18m-rated England teenager Micah Richards. | Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce insists Chelsea have not made contact about signing £18m-rated England teenager Micah Richards. |
| But Pearce revealed he is in touch with Chelsea about potential signings, one of which is understood to be former City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips. | But Pearce revealed he is in touch with Chelsea about potential signings, one of which is understood to be former City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips. |
| Defender Richards, 18, has been linked with a January move to Stamford Bridge. | Defender Richards, 18, has been linked with a January move to Stamford Bridge. |
| Pearce said: "There has been no contact from Chelsea, although I have rung them about players coming here." | Pearce said: "There has been no contact from Chelsea, although I have rung them about players coming here." |
| Players will only leave this club if it benefits the club Man City boss Stuart Pearce | Players will only leave this club if it benefits the club Man City boss Stuart Pearce |
| And Pearce also warned Chelsea that City do not need to sell Richards for financial reasons. | |
| He added: "I am delighted we have interest in our players, if that is the case, because it means those players are doing well. | He added: "I am delighted we have interest in our players, if that is the case, because it means those players are doing well. |
| "But I must remind everyone that Manchester City are not in the situation they were two years ago, when we had to sell. | "But I must remind everyone that Manchester City are not in the situation they were two years ago, when we had to sell. |
| "Players will only leave this club if it benefits the club - full stop. | |
| "Micah is very happy here, wants to stay at the football club and we are on a very sound financial footing." | |
| Richards made his England debut in the 1-1 draw with Holland in November. | Richards made his England debut in the 1-1 draw with Holland in November. |
| Meanwhile, Pearce has denied suggestions that former skipper Sylvain Distin has rejected a final contract offer, insisting he still believes the Frenchman will stay at City. | Meanwhile, Pearce has denied suggestions that former skipper Sylvain Distin has rejected a final contract offer, insisting he still believes the Frenchman will stay at City. |
| "We have been talking to Sylvain for 18 months now and I honestly believe he will end up signing a new contract, whether that is next week, next month or in the summer, I do not know." | "We have been talking to Sylvain for 18 months now and I honestly believe he will end up signing a new contract, whether that is next week, next month or in the summer, I do not know." |
| 606 DEBATE: Give your thoughts on this transfer news | 606 DEBATE: Give your thoughts on this transfer news |