The combative midfielder is in South Africa with the Blues squad for the Vodacom Challenge, and he has now had the chance to meet and train with two signings who did not travel with the rest of the team, Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor.
It’s the calibre of such acquisitions that has got the football world talking, but Nigel sees them as signs that City are throwing down a marker not just internationally, but just as important in Manchester itself.
“I’ve already said that city is blue, it has really amazed me!” laughs the 24-year-old. “It would be nice to have the same expectations of winning prizes with blue as with red. I know there are a lot of mixed feelings over Tevez having moved to us, but I think it is City sending out a message that nothing is impossible. We can buy the best possible players and compete with the top four.”
Nigel played against the Argentinean striker at Old Trafford in May and looked on as he scored a superb goal to extend United’s lead that day. It’s not just his goal scoring prowess that impresses Nigel, who sees a kindred spirit when it comes to knuckling down for the team when needed.
“It’s important to have the fighting mentality in the team, and Carlos is that kind of player that fights for every inch on the pitch. He did that for United, but I’m really happy he’s playing for us because he also gives the rest of the team support as a twelfth man. Not many strikers do that, but he is one of the few in the world who will fight back for you.
“We’ve shared a couple of words, but it’s mostly been along the lines of ‘how are you doing?’ and that kind of thing, but I’ve not had a one-on-one conversation with him as yet - but that will come.”
Emmanuel Adebayor’s arrival has added further to the excitement, with Nigel convinced he will add a different dimension to City’s potential.
“He’ll bring a lot of strength, he can score goals but he can also hold the ball. We can win balls played in the air with him and Roque, don’t forget about him! We have some really good couple of strikers, so we’ll see how we go.
“It’s exciting, and we’re happy that these guys are on our side and not against us! We’re hoping they score a lot of goals for us now, we have to combine because it’s not just the strikers who do the job. It’s about the whole team, all the players in the squad, we have to stick together and progress.”
