Micah Richards admits Man City 'mistake' with Kieran Trippier after brutal £25m lesson

Micah Richards believes Manchester City made the 'biggest mistake ever' in allowing future Newcastle United star Kieran Trippier to leave. The England international has established himself as one of the Premier League's most consistently impressive performers since returning from a title-winning stint with Atletico Madrid.

Trippier never made a senior appearance for City, and was allowed to leave on a permanent basis in 2012 following a loan spell at Burnley. The future Magpies right-back helped the Clarets earn promotion to the Premier League, before enjoying a successful four-year stay with Tottenham.

Reflecting on Trippier's career following his latest standout display in Newcastle's emphatic home win over Crystal Palace, Richards recalled coming through the academy ranks alongside the defender at City and competing for a spot with Pablo Zabaleta. The pundit described on training exercise which saw him get 'absolutely destroyed' by the club's £25 million signing Emmanuel Adebayor.

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Richards told The Rest is Football podcast: "I just remember in training, we were doing this session of attack versus defence, you might have four defenders versus three attackers or vice versa. He was up against Adebayor, you know Adebayor always went to the left side, held it up and did some skills or what not.

"Every time Adebayor got the ball, he absolutely destroyed Trippier in a one-on-one situation. The manager at the time, I think it was Mancini, but what everyone didn't know, the part of his game which was the best was going forward. They were exploiting his weaknesses and not seeing his strengths.

"When he was allowed to go to Burnley, I remember all of the lads saying this is the biggest mistake ever. Send him out on loan for a couple of seasons, and when he fills out a little bit...but the technique he had,the timing of his runs, the passing, the commitment he showed. I was like he's going to be a top player.

"He goes to Burnley and gets like record assists in the Championship, then he goes to Spurs and does amazing. It was a little bit difficult with Kyle Walker being there at a similar time, and then he goes to Atletico Madrid and wins the league over there.

"He comes back, and does what he does for England. I just think he's the most underrated full back because of the quality we have with Walker, and Trent and Reece James. If you need someone who's going to be consistent, this is the best football I've ever seen him play and he's two years younger than me. He's incredible."