Nery dreams of staying on

May 08, 2008

MEXICAN international Nery Castillo already knows what he wants for Christmas - a permanent move to Manchester City.

That's when the 23-year-old's year-long loan from Ukraine side Shakhtar Donetsk comes to an end.

Castillo, who will spend the summer attempting to further his country's 2010 World Cup qualifying hopes, knows he will have to force his way into the side at the start of next season to stand any chance of achieving his aim.

The former Olympiakos ace showed his commitment to securing a long-term switch by part-financing his loan move in the middle of this season.

However, he has found life harder than he expected following a broken shoulder early in his stay and has had to showcase his talents in bite-size segments from the bench.

And his position in the squad has hardly been made any clearer by the cloud hanging over the future of boss Sven-Goran Eriksson. The manager has clearly made an impression on Castillo.

"He is a very intelligent and accomplished coach and famous all around the world and it is easy to see why he has been successful in so many countries," noted the quick-footed forward.

"Many people have asked about the way he works and if there is any secret to it and I would say that one of the most important elements is the way he interacts with the players.

"He treats us all as adults and as individuals, and takes great care to explain why he has made certain decisions and exactly what he wants us to do in the framework of the team.

"He takes care of all the little details around the team so well. It is a special feeling to work with him and I hope I can experience it for a long time."

That desire may be a forlorn one and now rests on Thaksin Shinawatra having a change of heart about sacking Eriksson.

Castillo, meanwhile, just hopes to see some action on Sunday in the final match of the season at Middlesbrough and has lamented the ill-fortune that has dogged his progress since he arrived.

"I feel I owe City something because they were the team that showed belief and confidence in me and I want to repay that."

For an extended interview with Castillo, buy a copy of this month's official City Magazine. It also contains a tribute to the FA Youth Cup-winning side and their coaches.

| Submit Comments | Comments (37) |

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Bluereed (08/05/2008 at 15:13)

You deserve a fair crack son,hope you get it.

Kev The Cod, Worthing (08/05/2008 at 15:20)

Nery
Just a word of advice if you want to win over the hearts of City fans.
DON'T pull your cap down over your face and push past young City fans like I saw you do after the Fulham game. The young lad next to me had a shirt with some autographs and said to his Dad, I asked Castillo for his autograph but he just ignored me!
If you could have done that it would have made his day.
Quite shameful really and you were hardly surrounded by your adoring public (either of them).
Another legend in his own mind.Hope you bought a return ticket.

The Truth (08/05/2008 at 15:26)

More chance of Texan's emigrating to Mexico I'm afraid.

timmy, manchester (08/05/2008 at 15:26)

Hope the lad makes it. he needs to get stronger and fitter for sure. The Premier League is tough for players of this stature but he surely has enough skill to give himself a chance. Any negative opinions about Castillo - as with Caceido and Bojinov - are ridiculously premature and doom-laden. Give them all a chance to adapt to the English top-flight game.

DJ, Chorlton (08/05/2008 at 15:27)

If he learnt to pass we could have a decent player. There is no doubting he has talent, but he does tend to run with his head down and try to beat every man on his own.

Perhaps the problem is caused by being on loan - he is trying too hard to impress and thinks that to do that he must score a wonder goal. Sometimes beating the fullback and getting a good cross in can be more important.

uzirugby (08/05/2008 at 15:32)

I like this guy, he will get better just needs games.

Devon Blue, Devon (08/05/2008 at 15:32)

I hope Nery Stays even though we have not seen much of him but he has got class he just needs to be fit and given starts in the team.

bexar, manchester (08/05/2008 at 15:36)

The guy can play he just needs time and to get fitter and stronger, and by the way keep Sven.

bluesoapopera, Blackley Manchester (08/05/2008 at 15:41)

totally agree with Timmy on this one, these new lads need to be given time to settle, the negative comments on caciedo especially are not needed, he is a young lad in a new country, he might not be fully settled off field, maybe this is something MUEN can get a piece about how he is finding things. Also some people just dont make good subs, and need to start to show what they can do. Its hard trying to get to the pace of the game when you come off the bench. The likes of Henry, Ballack, Drogba etc etc all had tough starts to premiership but given time blossomed. We should see the best of Caceido and Castillo next season

The Pope, Rome (08/05/2008 at 15:43)

Agree, love the guy but needs more games.
Him and Boj upfront on paper sounds good but, ha ha, we've not seen much of either of them!

Bugsy Blue (08/05/2008 at 15:46)

Sven treats his players like adults. So that's where he's going wrong! Footballers should be treated like children, cos most of the time that's what they are...overpayed babies!

jerseyblue, jersey (08/05/2008 at 16:00)

Kev the cod.....Are you Lee Bradbury with another alias? You appear to dislike Sven and all the players.......Guess you not a City 'fan' then?

The Artist Formerly Known As Blue John, London (08/05/2008 at 16:08)

Hope not. Would be a total waste of money. About as physically equipped to play Premiership football as John Prescott is to run the London Marathon. Irredeemable lightweight, and after an incredible 4 months at the club, still apparently getting fit. Bye bye

Raindazed (08/05/2008 at 16:13)

Nice to know someone wants to stay....

Syko, on my chair (08/05/2008 at 16:20)

Really not impressed with him so far - he has talent and skill, no doubt about that, but tries to do it all alone, then loses the ball and doesnt track back. Against Liverpool his passing was shocking - cant rememeber a single one going to a blue shirt... which probably explains why he just puts his head down and runs with it most of the time.

Mister Blue (08/05/2008 at 16:27)

The lad seems to have loads of potential . . . . I just hope whoever the manager is gives him a chance to prve himself.

bobby blue balls (08/05/2008 at 17:00)

"the truth" im afraid your right this lad is not very good ....and i say this watching him in reserves regular ...his 1st touch is ok but not a great deal of pace , no abailty of whats on around him... he cost 14 million ... to buy last time!! i do think he was very decent paying some of the loan fee but i think we can do a lot better...

Bristol Blue, Bristol (08/05/2008 at 17:49)

Perhaps a new manager will actually play him and then we'll see what he can do.

ulf blomberg, varberg, sweden. (08/05/2008 at 17:54)

nery, a top man! he wants to play for us. and also, he is world class(if allowed to play)

coolmercer (08/05/2008 at 18:20)

crap

Thai Curry Pie (08/05/2008 at 19:45)

He's not earned it yet but I'd like to see more...

Peter Doherty. As good as it gets. Levenshulme (Debt free). (08/05/2008 at 20:23)

Who's this Castillo guy?

Big Al (08/05/2008 at 20:32)

Given a decent chance just watch him set the Prem alive. A future City legend in the making.

curfo, clitheroe (08/05/2008 at 22:30)

At a time of change some stability is needed - Castillo is part of the squad stability needed as we approach yet another debacle in the search for a new manager. Been here too many times.Cant help thinking if we'd stuck with Reid we'd be well ahead of Fergie, Arsene and co!! MCFC PLC know who needs to stay - we need to start the process by ensuring we hang on to our talented youngsters. The only transfers needed are another good striker (Danny S is one for the near future and we've not seen enough of Boj to form an opinion yet )to support Benji and a midfield general who can command the troops - as impressive as Didi has been we need a holding midfielder and not a sweeper in front of the back four - who looked exposed on many occasions when Didi was not on the pitch. As for Sven I'm torn between Jols demise and the benefits to Spurs, the need for stability and for Frank to take a note from the Glazer style of management.

Wigan Blue, Wigan (08/05/2008 at 22:38)

Kev The Cod, Worthing

Of course you're right mate. But the team nust have been as disgusted as us about the result, and as the article says he was trying to cement his position. Sometimes you just have other things on your mind. Hopefully, now he can become a midfield wizard for MCFC. As I said - nice lad but I can't see it though...!

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