Former right-back Micah Richards is backing Manchester City to sign a replacement defensive-minded midfielder for Fernandinho this summer.
Richards made the admission after watching the Brazilian score just his second goal of the season in Saturday's 4-0 win over Leeds United at Elland Road. The 36-year-old fired in City's fourth in the dying minutes to help Pep Guardiola's side return to the top of the table.
The midfielder — who recently announced that he will leave the club at the end of this season — stepped off the bench with just seven minutes remaining against the Whites, replacing fellow defensive-midfielder Rodri, who had netted the opening goal. Despite starting last Saturday's 5-1 triumph over Watford, it was just Fenrnainho's second appearance in City's last nine Premier League games.
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But although he has not been a regular for City this season former Blues defender Richards insists the club will have to source a like-for-like replacement for Fernandinho this summer. Rodri is Guardiola's first choice defensive-midfielder, but Fernandinho, certainly in recent years, has acted as the perfect back-up option.
"They're going to need to buy another defensive-midfielder because he's done absolutely everything apart from that Champions League at Manchester City," Richards told Sky Sports. "It's just not on the pitch, it's off the pitch.
"He's a really nice, humble man. Superb in the dressing room.
"Rodri's been outstanding. When he first came in, myself, I had question marks, in terms of the defensive side.
"On the ball he's always been brilliant, but off the ball, when the ball gets in behind him, was he quick enough on the turn, can he get back quick enough? They're going to need to find someone to do a good job for Fernandinho, just because he's been pivotal in City's success."
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