mancityblues.com

"Nedum Onuoha believes Manchester City could be as big as Real Madrid in the next five years - and has no intention of leaving the club. Onuoha has found himself out of the side this season and has been linked with a January move away from Eastlands. However, Onuoha sees a bright future for City and hopes to be involved, having come through the ranks as a youngster. "I'm just biding my time and when (a chance) comes I'll be ready to take it and stake my claim," Onuoha said. "In the next five years, Manchester City could be as big as Real Madrid. That is not something I plan to walk away from without giving it my best shot. I'm a local boy and being a success at this club would mean more to me than anywhere else."

Local boy Nedum

That interview was given just after Christmas, and since then of course, Nedum has had his chance and has proved himself to be a big player in all senses of the word. He has shown a maturity on the pitch beyond his years and put his worth to the club beyond doubt.

Today in the MUEN he has this to say;

"When you see better players coming in to the club it just makes you want to be even more a part of it," he told the Manchester Evening News.

"But it has always been that way for lads here who have come through the ranks because they have had to compete with senior players along the way and seen new players every season anyway. The ambition has always been to keep doing better and better. We feel as though we have the real solid foundation for success and I would love to be part of the growth at City in the same way as say John Terry has been at Chelsea.

"It is great to be in at the beginning of what might be something so exciting because we have had a few tough years. Hopefully this season will be the start of something very special."

Nedum made his premiership debut in 04/05 season in a 1-1 draw with Norwich, since then he has continued to impress in spite of some knee problems, and is fast becoming a mainstay in the side. Especially with captain Richard Dunne receiving a four-match ban. Every week on the forum there are calls for him to be in the starting line-up, and with the experience of Shay Given behind him, I'm sure the whole team will benefit by Hughes' faith in the local boy who made good.

CLEVBLUE