Richards: Delph has sought City advice

Delph has been linked with a move to City after it emerged the 25-year-old has a release clause of just £8million in his contract.

Richards is well placed to offer advice having spent more than a decade at the Etihad and reckons it is not a decision Delph should take lightly.

Richards, who joined Villa last month after leaving City, said: "He has asked me what I think about the situation. I told him I can't comment, to be honest.

"I don't want to say go there and then he (Pellegrini) doesn't play him - he'll be ringing me up afterwards! It's tough.

"If you have guarantees to play. He has been unbelievable for Aston Villa and every player wants to play at the highest level. If he is going there to be a squad player, then no.

"James Milner played in six or seven positions and still wanted to leave so, if he gets assurances he is going to play, the decision is his."

Delph's performances for Villa saw him break into the England set-up last season.

And Richards believes next summer's Euro 2016 championships should factor into his thinking if he doesn't get assurances of playing.

He added: "It's a difficult year, because next year is the Euros and if you go to Manchester City and find yourself only playing 10 games and someone has a really good season, things change.

"I wouldn't say don't go to Manchester City because if he is playing well, he could play. Joe Hart plays every week, he is English. He might be a step above.

"People think he (Pellegrini) doesn't like English players but it is nothing to do with that. If you are good enough it is just about being given the chance.

"If he is being given the chance to play it is hard to turn down Champions League football. It would be great if he stays."