Following his summer release from Manchester City, Everton are reportedly interested in signing former England internaitonal Micah Richards.

Richards, 26, spent last season on loan at Fiorentina in the Serie A but failed to make the move permanent after he struggled to make a sizeable impact on the Italian club's season.

Everton boss Roberto Martinez is on the lookout for defensive depth after defenders Sylvain Distin and Antolin Alcaraz left the club after their contracts expired. Richards can play right back and centre back and would add much needed defensive solidarity to an Everton defence that shipped 50 goals last season.

Defender with promise

Richards has always had promise to be a top defender since he broke into the Manchester City team under Stuart Pearce at the tender age of 19. The youngster then became a pivotal figure for Roberto Mancini's 2011/12 title-winning team, making 29 appearences - including a barn-storming appearance in the 6-1 win against rivals Manchester United.

Richards has fallen off the radar at City since Manuel Pellegrini joined, limited only to cup appreances and the odd Premier League appearance, and this has led to his release.

The full back spent last season in Italy with Fiorentina making 10 apperances in the Serie A with a further seven in the Europa League. Richards failed to make a sizeable impact on Vincenzo Montella's team and was allowed to return to England once the deal had ended.

Where would Richards fit at Everton?

Richards would likely be a rotation option for the Toffees, with the ability to play at centre back and right back thanks to his pace and strength. He would add another defensive presence to a back line looking to improve on a poor last campaign.

Richards has not scored or assisted a goal since the 2011/12 campaign, but has also only made one defensive error in that time, compared to an Everton back line that commited a Premier League-high 35 defensive errors last season.

Ulimately, he would allow Everton to utilise formations with three centre backs including himself, John Stones and Phil Jagielka. He would also provide Everton with depth at right back under Seamus Coleman, who has been linked with a move away from Goodison Park.