Micah Richards has always been a voice full of energy, honesty, and passion when he talks about football. The former Manchester City right-back, who is now one of the most popular pundits on British television, is never shy when it comes to giving his opinion. Sometimes he makes bold predictions, other times he shares personal stories from his career, and every so often he uses his platform to shine a light on players who never truly got the respect they deserved. This week, he did exactly that by naming a former Manchester City teammate who, in his opinion, is one of the most underrated players in Premier League history.
The name Richards put forward might surprise many casual fans, but for those who watched Manchester City closely during their early years of success, it makes perfect sense. Richards believes that Gael Clichy, the French left-back who played for Arsenal and Manchester City, never got the credit he truly earned during his long Premier League career.
It is easy to forget how good Clichy actually was because the Premier League has been blessed with so many famous left-backs: Ashley Cole, Denis Irwin, Patrice Evra, Andy Robertson, and Nigel Winterburn, to name just a few. But while some of those players are celebrated in highlight reels and constantly spoken about in debates, Clichy’s name rarely comes up. Richards, however, is determined to remind fans that the Frenchman was not only consistent but also vital to the success of the teams he played for.
Gael Clichy began his Premier League journey when he joined Arsenal in 2003. He arrived as a teenager from Cannes in France and immediately found himself working under Arsène Wenger. At Arsenal, Clichy grew up quickly. He was part of the famous “Invincibles” squad of 2003/04 that went unbeaten for an entire league season, becoming the youngest player in history at the time to win a Premier League medal. Richards pointed this out in his discussion, noting that Clichy lifted the trophy when he was just 18 years old, which is an achievement that very few defenders can claim.
For eight years, Clichy was part of Wenger’s Arsenal, where he developed into a quick, reliable, and disciplined full-back. Though he wasn’t as attacking as some modern-day left-backs, his speed, awareness, and ability to read danger made him an important figure. After winning his first title in North London, he would later make a bold decision that changed his career trajectory: he joined Manchester City in 2011.
That summer was a turning point for City. Sheikh Mansour’s investment had transformed the club into a powerhouse, and manager Roberto Mancini was shaping a squad capable of challenging for titles. Clichy was seen as the perfect signing to add experience, quality, and professionalism to the squad. City already had Aleksandar Kolarov in that position, but Mancini wanted competition and balance. Clichy’s arrival gave City exactly that.
Richards, who was at the club at the same time, remembers those days fondly. He explained how Clichy might not have been the flashiest player on the pitch, but he was always reliable. According to Richards, Clichy was “the fittest man ever” at City. He may have been slight in build, weighing only around 65 kilograms, but he was strong, sharp, and extremely quick. Richards even joked about his own weight compared to Clichy’s, saying he sometimes carried “200kg on a bad day,” but Clichy remained lean, athletic, and prepared.
That level of fitness meant Clichy rarely missed matches, and when he played, he gave the same high standard almost every week. Richards emphasised that point by saying Clichy was never the worst player on the pitch. Even if he wasn’t the standout star, he was always consistent. For a manager, that kind of reliability is priceless. In City’s 2011/12 title-winning season, when they dramatically beat Manchester United to the league on goal difference thanks to Sergio Agüero’s last-minute strike against QPR, Clichy was a major part of the squad. His defending, stamina, and tactical intelligence allowed City to balance their back line while also supporting their attacking play.
Clichy ended up making 203 appearances for Manchester City, winning two Premier League titles, two League Cups, and being part of the early stages of Pep Guardiola’s reign. He was even in Guardiola’s first competitive starting XI when the Spaniard took charge of City in 2016. Though Guardiola eventually decided to move him on after just one season, the manager has often been credited with reshaping how Clichy saw football, and the Frenchman himself has spoken about how that season changed his understanding of the game.
What Richards wanted to highlight, though, was not just Clichy’s medals or appearances but the lack of recognition he receives. When fans and pundits discuss the best Premier League left-backs, names like Ashley Cole, Patrice Evra, and Andy Robertson dominate the conversation. Richards argues that Clichy deserves to be in those discussions too, at least among the top ten left-backs in Premier League history.
Looking at the numbers, the case becomes stronger. Clichy made over 400 Premier League appearances, one of the highest tallies ever for a French player in the league. He won three titles, something that very few defenders can say. He was part of an Invincibles team at Arsenal and part of Manchester City’s first title-winning squad in over 40 years. And yet, he is rarely mentioned. That, Richards says, is exactly why he is underrated.
Football often celebrates the spectacular—the goals, the tricks, the superstar moments. Players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, and Sergio Agüero live in the spotlight because of their attacking brilliance. Defenders, especially those who quietly do their job without fuss, often get overlooked. Clichy falls into that category. He was not flashy, he was not a headline-maker, but he was essential to winning teams.
If we compare him to some of his contemporaries, the argument becomes interesting. Ashley Cole is widely regarded as the best Premier League left-back of all time, and few would argue otherwise. Patrice Evra at Manchester United was charismatic, attack-minded, and played in a dominant era. Denis Irwin was incredibly reliable and part of Manchester United’s golden generation under Sir Alex Ferguson. Andy Robertson has been a huge part of Liverpool’s success under Jürgen Klopp. But when you stack up Clichy’s achievements, they hold weight. He won as much as Robertson, had more league longevity than Evra, and played at two of the biggest clubs in England during highly successful eras.
Yet, as Richards noted, Clichy never seemed to get the spotlight. Part of that may be down to his personality. Clichy was not loud or controversial; he preferred to work quietly, perform well, and avoid unnecessary attention. In the modern game, where personalities often drive popularity, Clichy’s low-key approach may have contributed to him being overlooked. But Richards insists that true football fans should recognise his value.
There’s also the matter of influence. At City, Clichy’s presence provided balance. While Kolarov offered attacking power and a powerful shot, Clichy gave stability, pace, and discipline. Managers often rotated the two depending on the match, but Clichy’s ability to handle big-game pressure made him a trusted option in title races and crucial fixtures. That type of role is rarely celebrated in headlines but is remembered by teammates. Richards’ praise is proof of how much those inside the dressing room valued him.
When pundits discuss underrated players, they usually mention midfielders like Gareth Barry or goalkeepers like Ederson, who quietly perform at world-class levels without always receiving hype. Joleon Lescott, another former City man, has argued that Barry was underrated for his entire career. Sam Allardyce once said Ederson is underrated because people focus only on his passing rather than his actual goalkeeping. But Richards’ choice of Clichy stands out because defenders, especially left-backs, rarely get this type of shout.
Where does that place Clichy in Premier League history? While Ashley Cole will always be at the top, a fair ranking might put Clichy in the top ten. He arguably ranks higher than players like Leighton Baines or John Arne Riise, both of whom were great but did not win as many titles or play as many matches. Clichy’s combination of longevity, success, and consistency make him an all-time solid Premier League performer.
Football history often forgets players who were not flashy. Gael Clichy is one of those names. But thanks to Micah Richards’ reminder, fans can look back and appreciate just how important he was. He was part of history at Arsenal with the Invincibles and part of history at Manchester City with their first Premier League title. Few defenders can say that.
Sometimes being underrated is not about ability but about perception. Clichy’s quiet nature meant he never shouted for the spotlight, but on the pitch, he earned respect from teammates, managers, and opponents. In the end, that might be the true measure of greatness. Richards’ words will no doubt spark debate, but they also shine a light on a player who deserves to be remembered more fondly in Premier League history
