£10m risk for Harry maybe, but the ideal heir to King’s throne!

Football FanCast guest columnist Tom Harper feels that Harry should look to Micah Richards as the long term heir to King's throne.

I remember Graham Roberts was asked the question some months back about the Spurs back four and the reason for its struggles and he pinpointed that the constant chop and changing surrounding Ledley King's fitness was a real cause for concern. I have to concede that despite being a huge fan of Ledley I really believe that Harry has to make a tough decision on the player and the role he plays long term at the club.

In certain positions on the pitch you can get away with having a player that is utilised for certain games and sparingly, but in the defence that cannot happen as it is the hub of the team and the basis of which success is built. In an ideal world we would love to see King and Woody playing week in week out, but the bottom line is that is never going to happen therefore Harry needs to start looking at a long term replacement for King and someone that can take over his mantle.

So how do you go about replacing Ledley King? Top quality centre halves are few and far between and the good ones are generally taken, but there are a few rough diamonds out there. My personal choice would be for Harry to take a chance on Micah Richards who is unsettled at Eastlands after a series of bust ups with Mark Hughes and why he is by no means the finished product, he certainly possesses all the raw ingredients and qualities that a young Ledley had that simply needs honing.

Richards has fallen off the radar somewhat, a trait that a lot of young players suffer, but in terms of attributes he has the full package. There is a hint of an attitude problem there, a reason why he has fallen out with Hughes, but if there is a manager who has the capabilities to turn that around and bring out the best of complex characters then surely there are fewer better than Harry. Talking to a City pal of mine they have suggested that Hughes will be open for offers of £10m+ in the summer as their relationship has reached breaking point and I just feel that he is the type of player, who I accept represents very much of a gamble with regards to his attitude, as the ideal heir to King's throne.