Micah Richards recalled guidance he got in his first year at Man City. Sky Sports

Micah Richards has stated that the "life changing" advice that he received early in his playing career came from the legendary player Andy Cole of Manchester United.

Richards, who went on to make 245 first-team appearances for the club, was promoted to the senior squad for the 2005-06 campaign, which is the same year that Cole joined the Citizens from Fulham. The two were teammates at Manchester City at the beginning of Richards' senior career, when the defender was promoted to the senior squad.

Richards has now explained how the great striker Cole, who was one of the Premier League's deadliest marksmen of the 1990s and spent seven years at Old Trafford, taught him a lesson that was extremely beneficial to him. The former defender reveals this information in his upcoming book titled "The Game: Player. Pundit. Fan," which is scheduled to be released later this month.

Richards, who had only turned 17 years old at the time, was catapulted to prominence early in his career, and he quickly established himself as a fixture in City's first-team squad. Richards rose to stardom early in his career. However, by telling the story, he gave the impression that he was now prepared to deal with all of the responsibilities and obligations that such a rank brought with it.

"I remember coming into training with an all-diamond watch one day when it seemed like I was still spending money like it was about to run out. It had cost me a fortune, and I was eager to show it off," Richards revealed in a part of his new book that was publicized by the Mail. "It had cost me a fortune to show it off."

Richards continues, saying that Andrew Cole did not seem to be impressed. He inquired, "What do you think you're doing?" in response to your actions. I took offense to that. I got into an argument with him and tried to convince him not to criticize, but he didn't put up much of a fight. He only inquired as to where I had been keeping my parents.

As a young player, Micah Richards quickly established himself as a starter for Manchester City.

As a young player, Micah Richards quickly established himself as a starter for Manchester City 

I told her that they were still residing in their previous home in Chapeltown. His next question was, "And how much would that house cost?" Even though I didn't know for sure, I had a feeling that a watch that was constructed entirely out of diamonds would be a good investment. He pointed at the watch and remarked, "And yet you're buying this. It was at this point that Richards, who is now one of the most popular pundits in the UK, went on to explain that rather than criticizing him, Cole was offering him advice that would entirely shift his perspective. Richards's explanation has helped him become one of the most popular pundits in the UK.

Andy Cole, a former member of Manchester United, spent the 2005–2006 season playing for Manchester City, the club that plays in blue.

Andy Cole, a former member of Manchester United, spent the 2005–2006 season playing for Manchester City, the club that plays in blue. 

Richards continued by reminiscing about the advice that Cole had given to him: "If you've done what you need to do, buy whatever you want," Cole had told him. "However, you shouldn't purchase all of this items first if you don't already have all of the other stuff lined up." Don't put yourself in that predicament,'"

When reflecting on the chat, the Sky Sports commentator and Man City ambassador adds, "I don't think I ever told him, but that speech altered my life." It was a swift and painful slap in the face. I have no idea why he chose to ask for my assistance specifically.

"Perhaps he viewed me as a younger version of himself: a young black guy who was going to have to figure out what to do with all of the money that was going to be coming his way. I was in need of a dose of hard reality, and you provided it to me. After that, I made it a priority to safeguard not only my own future but also the future of my family, and I did so by purchasing a home for my parents.