The Manchester City Project

Onuoha could still be used in a make-weight loan deal for the Everton defender, however this seems unlikely as City continue to ensure that they have a powerful squad of players that would be able to with stand a period of injuries. Kolo Toure and Adebayor will also be missing from cup and league games during January as they take part in the African Cup Of Nations.

Despite the increasing competition for places at the club Onuoha was happy to pen the deal and like the majority of the players is looking forward to challenging for a first team start. Nedum told the official website:

“I was pleased by the way I played towards the end of last season but at the same time I don’t think that level of form will be good enough to get me into the side this time around... ...Unless you are continuously improving you shouldn’t expect to be in the team. I want to improve on last season and I am raring to go.”

Nedum is please with the current ambitions of the club and is looking forward to being a part of the Manchester City project next term: “I am really, really happy,” he declared. “This is a great place for any young player to be. Hopefully it will be the start of another good five years for me and for the club. This is a season that we will be looking right towards the top of the table.
“Who knows how far the club can go. If you look back five years who would have expected the club to be in the position it is in now. We feel anything is possible.

“There is a brilliant mix here in terms of the squad. There are a lot of big signings that have been made but there are also plenty of lads who have come through the Academy and I think that is an important thing.

“We all have a lot more experience now and I think we are the type of players teams need to be successful. If you look at the recent history of the clubs that have won trophies they have all had a home grown element.”

Mark Hughes is delighted to have Nedum signed up on a long term contract, he said of the promising 22-year-old: “Nedum is a very important part of my future plans for the team, and I am very pleased he has decided to extend his contract with us. Despite his tender years he has already matured into a very good defender who has made a significant impact on the first team... ...Nedum has huge potential for the future and is another shining example of the kind of quality our academy can produce for Manchester City football club.”