Kieran Richardson needs a move for the sake of his career

May 28, 2005. If you don't remember the date, there is a chance Kieran Richardson will.

It is significant to him because it featured two goals on his England debut. He has not scored any for his country since,nor has he had the opportunity to since 2006.

After that his career at Manchester United nosedived. Whether it be because he thought he had 'made it' too soon and eased off, or whether he was never cut out for success with one of England's 'elite' teams, we will never know.

He was discarded by Sir Alex Ferguson and sold to Roy Keane's Sunderland in 2007. While Keane didn't last beyond 2008 at the Black Cats, Kieran Richardson has been there ever since.

There he has continued his progression as a versatile and talented footballer, capable at left-back, left-wing, and as a second striker.

He has been an asset for Sunderland, a more than useful player for a variety of managers. However with just one year left on his contract, both player and club are facing a dilemma.

Richardson is 27, and while an England call-up has never appeared further away, he still has ambition and needs a fresh start.

Whether a move to QPR is right or wrong is another matter. Both Sunderland and QPR will be battling for a top 10 spot and it will be viewed by many as a sideways or even downwards step.

This said, in many ways it almost doesn't matter. The reason Richardson needs a move is not because Martin O'Neill's Sunderland are not moving forward, but simply because he needs a change of scenery.

There is a reasoning that he is meandering somewhat on Wearside, and given the new challenge of a new set of supporters to impress and an exciting new start, the player would clearly benefit.

Playing back down in London where he hails from could lead to a happier personal life and better performances on the pitch, although of course the opposite could be said that he may get led astray despite his proclaimation of 'finding God' and having a settled personal life, rather than the 'cocky spoiled brat' reputation which harmed his relationship with United fans while at Old Trafford.

For Sunderland it would make sense to move on a player who may not only be better motivated elsewhere, and who has just the one year left on his current deal. If they can get a decent amount of cash for him then it will make sense all round.

Given a new start, Richardson might just go some way to fulfilling the potential he has not lived up to. If he stays on at Sunderland for the rest of his career and signs a new deal, it would be the easy way out and we might never know what he could have achieved.

If he goes somewhere else, tries something new, and it doesn't quite work out, at least he has given himself a shot at re-inventing himself.

image: © Vagueonthehow