Micah Richards has revealed manager Roberto Mancini told him he has the potential to become a great player, and the Manchester City defender is not interested in reports linking him with other clubs.
Richards, 21, is enjoying a run of games in the side under the former Italian international and scored a fine goal in the 4-1 defeat of Blackburn.
His good form could force England manager Fabio Capello to hand him a recall in World Cup year. Richards' priority, though, is to continue to improve after a pat on the back from Mancini.
"He told me that I was a good player but that if I listened and learned he would turn me into a great player,'' Richards said on the club's official website. "Those words were really encouraging but I know that it is down to me to work hard.
"I keep saying it but I am still young. There are aspects of the game that only come with experience and I am gaining that all the time whether I am in or out of the side. I know I had a dip in form last season but I believe that I have been better this time around and in recent weeks I have done okay.
"All I am concentrating on at the moment is playing well, winning games and staying in the side when the injured players come back.''
Richards has come through the ranks at City and is in no hurry to go anywhere else. He said: "Everyone seems to get linked with someone at various stages of the season and me more than most. I have always said that I wanted to stay here so I don't know why these rumours keep appearing.
"I have not expressed any wish to leave and yet some people are reporting things as if they are done deals. Why would I want to leave a club that is so obviously on the up and up?
"There is still so much for me to learn and my best is to come, and this will be great place to be in coming seasons, I am sure of that.''
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