The pair have made an instant impact since swapping north London for Manchester during the summer, with Ade bagging three goals and Kolo succeeding Richard Dunne as club captain.
The fixture list means that the chance to face their former club has come around very quickly, and their new boss has been recalling how similar situations used to motivate him during his playing days.
There’s nothing better than beating your old team-mates, I used to find that and I used to love it. I’m sure Kolo and Ade are no different.
...Mark Hughes...
“When you have been at a club for a long time it can be difficult to deal with changing, but you get into the game very quickly.
“Leading into games there will be lots of interest in how you feel going up against a club you spent a long time with. I’m sure that Ade and Kolo will have those conversations leading right up to kick off, but once the game starts the focus is sharper.”
The pair have proved to be a big hit with team-mates and fans in their relatively brief time with the Blues so far, something the Manager sees as stemming from the way they carry themselves both on and off the pitch.
He continued: “They are both great guys, but the quality they show in games makes it very easy for them to integrate into the group because there is huge respect for what they have done as professional footballers. Their personalities lend themselves to being great assets to the squad as well, and as soon as they walk in a room the respect the others have for them is evident every single day.
“Kolo and Ade have responded really well to that, the fans can appreciate what they do and understand the quality they have brought to City. I think it’s been a great move for both of them.”
