Rolando Bianchi: 'Micah Richards was the best player I played with' | OneFootball

Sat outside a cafe on the cobbled streets of Bergamo, Rolando Bianchi wouldn’t look all that out of place on the set of a Hollywood movie.

The former Atalanta striker rocked a splendid black turtleneck and dark blue blazer as he enjoyed a coffee in the old fortified upper part of the city.

As he sits and talks, a smile breaks out across his face as he looks back on his career with lots of fond memories.

Bianchi started his professional career at Atalanta before being sold to Cagliari in 2004 and helped them gain promotion to Serie A.

He was promptly sold again to Reggina in 2005 where he stayed for more two years.

And he made quite an impact down south, being a core part of the first team under Walter Mazzarri, as they managed to escape relegation despite starting the season with a 11-point deduction for fraud.

Bianchi made the club a record amount of money when he moved to English Premier League side Manchester City for around £9 million.

During his career, he played with the likes of Matteo Darmian, Dietmar Hamann, Joe Hart and Angelo Ogbonna, before retiring in 2017.

But Bianchi believes BBC pundit Micah Richards was the best of the bunch.

The former City star turned out over 100 appearances at the Bradford club in a ten-year spell with the first team, after being with the club since he was 14 years old.

Speaking exclusively to GIVEMESPORT, Bianchi hails the former England international as the best he’s played alongside.

“I played with a lot of good players,” he says. “Gianfranco Zola of course but he was nearing the end of his career.

“Nicola Amuroso in my heart because he was also a striker and he is a good friend of mine.

“But I would have to say Micah Richards. He was younger than me but he was a top player. I think I am lucky because I got to play with a lot of great players.”

Bianchi also revealed the toughest opponents he ever faced during his career.

He adds: “Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta and Fabio Cannavaro.

“They were the best defenders in the world.”

Now the assistant coach of Atalanta’s U18s, Bianchi is hoping to impart his knowledge and experiences from his own career to help the next generation of young players coming through the ranks at the world-famous academy.

When asked if he misses playing in front of a crowd at the Gewiss Stadium, Bianchi says: “When I finished my career I stopped playing because it was the perfect time for me.

“However I still occasionally play sometimes. We have a team for over 40s. I think it’s important to stay in shape and keep healthy.

“It’s very good for cardio.”