Richards endorses Kaka signing

The Barclays Premier League would be a perfect fit for Kaka, according to Manchester City’s Micah Richards.

The defender is thrilled at the possibility of the Brazilian arriving at Eastlands from AC Milan for a reported world record fee of £108m.

Richards, 20, has come up through the ranks and can hardly believe how the financial landscape is changing at the club following the arrival of new owners the Abu Dhabi United Group, headed by Sheik Mansour.

High-profile signing Wayne Bridge made his debut in the 1-0 victory against Wigan but his solid performance was overshadowed by all the excitement about Kaka and whether he will pitch up in the blue corner of Manchester.

“Kaka is a gifted player who is perfectly suited to playing in the Premier League, ” said Richards on his website, MicahRichards.com.

“He is fast, skilful and strong, and he can score and create goals. In truth, I can’t think of an attribute he doesn’t have.

“He has still not reached his peak. I firmly believe he could be as influential to us as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Steven Gerrard are to their sides.

“A player of his ability will only thrive under the pressure – he certainly seems to be someone that always performs the bigger the occasion.

“He has been the main man for years at Milan so the pressure is something he is used to.

“The signing of Kaka would bring a lot to the club as he is one of the best players in the world. He would attract other big names here.”

Kaka’s father and advisor Bosco Leite is due to arrive in Italy tomorrow to discuss the situtation.

But City manager Mark Hughes admitted: “We are a million miles away from actually concluding the deal. The scale is large and there are too many elements to it.

“It’s not a case of talking to the club, talking to the boy and getting the deal done in 24-48 hours. You have to give it the time that it deserves.”

For the moment Hughes is just grateful that City returned to winning ways after Pablo Zabaleta’s first goal for the club.

The Argentinian rifled home a shot from the edge of the area in the 51st minute after Paul Scharner had only half-cleared a cross from Daniel Sturridge.

However the downside for City was a red card a minute later for skipper Richard Dunne, who kicked out at Amr Zaki.

It was the second dismissal this season and Hughes refused to excuse the central defender.

Hughes said: “Richard has held his hands up. He has reacted to a challenge.

“It was the second time Zaki had caught him across the face. He has retaliated, the referee has seen it and we accept it.”

Hughes added: “It has been a difficult week preparing the team considering the interest (about Kaka) around the club.

“But we really stuck at our task. We had to dig in and beat a side that has been in arguably as good as any recently in the Premier League.”

Wigan should have secured a point but Zaki headed over an open goal late on.

Manager Steve Bruce said: “He will be appearing on one of those video gaffes. It was an unbelievable chance and deeply frustrating for us.

“It is unfortunate we did not get something from the game. We came roaring back after looking a bid jaded in the first half.”