Nedum Onuoha

Known simply as "Chief" to his teammates, Nedum Onuoha could well have chosen a different career to pair his academic skills. As members of Trafford Athletic Club, he used to train with sprinters Andrew Steele and Craig Pickering back in the day when Ned's fledgling career peaked with a 100 metres time of 10.9sec. He came in second in the 100m final when he was 14 and fourth the next year. But he had already caught the eye playing local football, and when City offered him Youth Training Scheme forms he signed straight away.

Pace and attacking abilities are considered to be two of Ned's main assets. During the 2003/04 season a series of strong displays made the right-back slot in the City reserves his own, and Kevin Keegan gave him his City A-team debut in the Carling Cup in October 2004 at the ripe age of 17. Despite a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal Ned did a decent job as partner to Sylvain Distin in the center of the defence. The following week he was given his Premiership debut as a second half substitute in the 1-1 draw against Norwich City. The Nigerian-born defender is a natural centre half, but under Keegan he was often played as a full back to improve his distribution and introduce him to the higher pace of the Premiership.

In March 2007, Nedum received an international call up from Nigeria, but has not announced whether he wishes to represent Nigeria or England at full international level. He is a regular in the England U-21 side, and was part of the squad participating in the 2007 European Under 21s Championship in the Netherlands. During the Championship Ned was subjected to racist abuse from Serbian fans, but received praise for maintaining his conduct amid provocation. He played in each of England's four fixtures, but limped off in extra-time in the semi-final against the Netherlands after all three of the permitted substitutions had been made. England eventually lost the game 13-12 on penalties.

The 2007-08 season was plagued with injuries and both this and the next season he struggled to find a regular place in the team. But towards the end of the 2008-09 season he became the first choice partner to Richard Dunne in the centre of defence. This was also a good year at international level and Nedum enjoyed a good run with the U21's all the way to the European Cup final in Sweden where England eventually lost 4-0 to Germany and Nedum had to leave the field at half time.

Playing Record:

Season:	Club:	LEA	LEG	FCA	FCG	LCA	LCG	ECA	ECG	TOA	TOG
2004-2005	Manchester City	17	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	18	0
2005-2006	Manchester City	10	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	12	0
2006-2007	Manchester City	18	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	19	0
2007-2008	Manchester City	16	1	2	0	3	0	0	0	21	0
2008-2009	Manchester City	23	1	0	0	0	0	7	1	30	2
Total:		84	2	4	0	5	0	7	1	100	3

LA = League Attendances. LG = League Goals.
FCA = FA Cup Attendances. FCG = FA Cup Goals.
LCA = League Cup Attendances. LCG = League Cup Goals.
ECA = European Cup Attendances. ECG = European Cup Goals.
TOA = Total Attendances. TOG = Total Goals