Evans ponders takeover impact

September 02, 2008

Ched Evans

CITY teenager Ched Evans woke up in the Wales team hotel on Tuesday and realised that his footballing life had probably changed for ever.

The Rhyl-born striker was looking forward to making his first Wales start on Saturday in the World Cup qualifier with Azerbaijan at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

This season has already gone well for the 19-year-old, who has made his Premier League debut and featured in Manchester City's UEFA Cup campaign.

But City are now being taken over by an Arab billionaire and broken the British transfer record with the £32.4m signing of Robinho from Real Madrid.

Evans can be forgiven for being stunned.

The youngster said: "It was something of a shock. I woke up in the team hotel, turned on the TV and realised that things had changed a bit back at Eastlands."

Exactly what chance Evans will now have of first-team action at City now that boss Mark Hughes has £60million of attacking talent in Robinho, Jo and Shaun Wright-Phillips to select from now is open to debate.

But the youngster plans to take it all in his stride, even if he does feel a sense of frustration.

Evans said: "I am obviously happy for the club and that there will be good players coming in, I'm looking forward to going back.

"But it is a bit frustrating when you have come through the ranks and maybe they don't need to use you if they can go out and buy players for £30million.

"I've been getting in the side this season, I've made my Premier League debut and played in the UEFA Cup, it has been great.

"But now there are new owners with plenty of money flying about. But this has been an exciting start to the season for me getting my chance at City and it looks like I could be in the starting line-up for Wales on Saturday.

Experience

"I'm only 19, so all this is great experience for me. I believe I can handle it all for my club and country."

With Wales having lost Craig Bellamy and Freddy Eastwood to injury, Evans is certain to be in the firing line on Saturday, to win his third cap.

He said: "I know it is pressure, but I am really looking forward to it all. It has been exciting and I am just pleased to have had my chance when I am still young.

"I've played in the best league in the world and now I am getting my chance for Wales. It is all about fighting to keep my place.

"I suppose at any big club there is always the chance that they will pay top money to bring someone in. That is life. For me it is about impressing people in training and hoping I get a chance.

"I'm not sure whether Robinho is a winger or a striker, but I suppose that with someone that good it's a case of giving him the ball and seeing what he can produce.

"As far as Wales is concerned, it is a big blow not to have Bellamy around. I want to play alongside him and learn from watching his quality.

"I expect it now will be hard for me back at my club. City have spent huge money on Robinho, they've spent £20million on Jo and Shaun Wright-Phillips is back. that's a hell of a lot of attacking quality to contend with.

"But I just have to keep playing and working hard, scoring, and hoping. There's nothing you can do about it really, just keep working and trying.

"I suppose it is a little frustrating, I have worked hard for my chance and then something like this happens. That's football.

"I will just have to see how it goes when I get back. To see whether I am still in the squad, if I am I will be pleased with that.

"Maybe some time in the future if I am not involved then it could be another loan I suppose. I need to be playing games.

"But I know Mark Hughes knows what I can produce for the team, he knows what I can do. I work hard, I can nick a goal and I will compete to the end, he knows what I can do."

Wales' injury problems have eased a little. Wolves striker Sam Vokes and Nottingham Forest forward Robert Earnshaw have both recovered from hamstring problems and should be fit for selection at the weekend.

| Submit Comments | Comments (38) |

Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All

adders, Co.Cavan ex Manchester (02/09/2008 at 16:13)

Don`t Be too apprehensive, Ched, as I am sure Mark Hughes will give you playing time. He is too shrewd to overlook potential and he definitely sees it in you.
Looking forward to seeing you get on the end of some of SWP`s and Martin Patrov`s crosses.
A blend of expensive signings and good young talent, can`t be bad, can it?

crazy p, sheffield (02/09/2008 at 16:14)

This is my only worry to, hang on in there

BlueAd (02/09/2008 at 16:17)

He'll get his chance.

It's a long hard season fighting for 4 competitions and we are going to need his gritty determination and enthusiasm at some stage. The question is whether he will take his chance when it arrives. Personally I think Sturridge is a much more accomplished player. Evans looks to be a good allrounder, but in the Premiership, you need to have something special... like electric pace

MJ, Ontario, Canada (02/09/2008 at 16:21)

If I was Evans knowing the challenge that's just been presented, I'd be chomping at the bit. He's being given the opportunity to see how he stacks up against some of the worlds best, to learn from them, to improve, and to find out if he can raise his game. He sounds like he's already given up though. On attitude alone I think Ched will be moving on. Hopefully Sturridge views this as an opportunity for him to show what he can do - hopefully he won't be going anywhere and will be stepping up to meet the challenge.

Bugsy Blue (02/09/2008 at 16:31)

At the end of the day I truely believe that if you're good enough you'll make it. And whatever great players we get, it should only benefit our younger players as they'll be trainning together and learning from them.

You just need to get down to some hard work Ched and if you're good enough then you've nothing to worry about!

Steve, Droylsden, Tameside (02/09/2008 at 16:36)

Well, this is the concern. As long as they're given the CHANCE to make the step up and compete with the big signings, that's all you can ask. But the MUST be given the opportunity.

As for Ronaldo for £120M; that's as stupid as our orange 3rd kit. Shaun or slave? No contest.

Mister Blue (02/09/2008 at 16:47)

I truely hope the new owners will pump money into the Academy & MH will still allow players to come through the ranks & into the 1st team . . . . it would be a shame if Jim Cassell's hard work went to waste.

I also hope we keep Sturridge, but he didn't look too happy sat on the bench at Sunderland while SWP stole the headlines . . . . wonder what he thinks now?

4EVABLUE, Manchester (02/09/2008 at 16:53)

MJ, Ontario, Canada
2/09/2008 at 16:21

To be honest mate I don't think Ched sounds that way at all. Obviously he points out he may have to go on loan again but he also states his excitement at returning to the club and commited himself to fighting for his place. If I were him I would be also be wary of the quality Mark Hughes now has the ability to bring in, but like Ched said, Mark knows what he can do and if that is enough, then he will get his chance.

Like other fans have already stated, I hope our young talent still gets it chance but at the same time I wouldn't say no to a multi-million pound dream team playing under Mark Hughes.

Loaning our young hopefuls out may be the way forward just as United have done for the last few years.

ALL HAIL THE BLUE REVOLUTION!!!

mattmcfc (02/09/2008 at 17:07)

Taxi for Ched!!!!

Oh, and pick up Puyol, Cannavaro & Henry, on your way back in!!!!

Yabba dabba doooooo!!!!!

paul (02/09/2008 at 17:22)

Unfortunately that is business and life.

If you are good enough you play.If not others take your place.

If Ched keeps banging them in he will get his chance,though it will be harder now of course.

What is Hughes to do?

You get offered a top of the range 70'' tv with all mod cons.Do you say ''No thanks i will keep on watching my old 15'' portable?''

Perry Suckling's gloves (02/09/2008 at 17:25)

I hope our new oweners come out with a statement about the academy soon, like Thaksin did when he first took over. I have doubts though that anyone as eager and rich as they are will want to blood young unknowns.. As much as we as fans are desperate for success, i hope we stay true to our roots and our history :(

Neil Mcnab's Moustache, manchester (02/09/2008 at 17:34)

Inside left is Robinho's best position but he can play out on the right with SWP inside right. The likes of Elano, Ireland and Johnno aswell as Evans. Sturridge and co. will get games over a long season. If we can win a cup this season and finish top 4 it will take the whole squad. We're good enough and Liverpool and Arsenal are not top 2 yet from what I've seen.

Cum_2_Termz (02/09/2008 at 17:45)

Sturridge is good enough to make mark hughes first team thats for sure and will be competing on all fronts he knows it and mr hughey knows it too' its just a matter of time, when the new investers offer him a deal he can't refuse when they witness his sparkling talent!!!!!

svenjani (02/09/2008 at 17:45)

We should use the Carling Cup to play the lads from the academy. Arsenal have done well with this approach, its a good stepping stone between the academy and the first team.

Eric, Dutch, 33 years and still here (02/09/2008 at 17:58)

I would see it as a great upportunity for the young lads to learn and raise their game. If ever I would like to see the young ones from the academy be in the starting line-up, but only if they are the best to play. And what money is there for them to earn if they can make it to top-level. It's a big challenge to every youth-player, unless they are not willing to fight or know they are not good enough.

CTID despite the pain, Isle of Man (02/09/2008 at 18:17)

Ched has something that Jo, SWeeP, Robinho, and Sturridge haven't, namely, physical presence. The others mentioned may have more technical skills but as a striker, a bit of muscle added to an 'in your face attitiude' can be very useful. Ched puts himself about a bit and if he develops that further, (at 19 he has time on his side to get even stronger), it will appeal to MH who appreciates a bit of that in a striker.

On the other hand Danny Sturridge may find it harder to progress as all the imports have skill and pace, exactly the same as him.

BristolStevefromOldham, bristol (02/09/2008 at 18:30)

He must rank high in our list of available strikers, he changed the game when he came on agst the Midgets. Keep him, play him, watch him develop into a really intimidating striker.

Edski Vega, Nottingham (02/09/2008 at 18:49)

Nobody has a right to a place - not even Robinho!

Ched Evans had a few chances to show what he can do but didn't do it...... he still has time on his side but he definatley will not be a top 5 player so I don't think we will see much more of him.

Also Bojinov - looks like it was never meant to be! However Hughes was really keen on him and I think he will get another chance.

Bye Bye Benjani - sell him before his value doubles to £9.8m!

roj51, Lincoln (02/09/2008 at 19:13)

onwards and upwards and for all those who are worrying about the current crop of young players, i say don't be ...

MH was after getting RSC anyway so Evans and co might have been further down the pecking order ...

this is the chance we have all been dreaming of so i say basc in it. No one else will be coming in now until January and we have got a shed load of important games to get through before then and will rely on a strong squad... the players have got the opportunity to prove their worth and commitment to the club.

personally, i am just so buzzed up about all the different formations we could play with the players we have got ... its going to be an awesome season ...

jackblue, Prescot (02/09/2008 at 19:42)

If you research these guys from the middle east you will find out that they are very keen to develop locally and are great respecters of traditions. They will develop the academy not decimate it, even use our academy's expertise locally in UAE.

sven's finger tips, uknowhere (02/09/2008 at 19:56)

A lot of expensive players have failed. Like Chelsea, I hope City will stand by the good ones who were there before this tsunami of cash rolled in.

Ex -Kippax Ferryman, manchester (02/09/2008 at 20:07)

Mcnab is becoming a glory hunter already,He wants to win a cup.Well MMMMMMM as Ted Knott would say.

Bristol Blue, Bristol (02/09/2008 at 21:29)

I think it would be a shame to lose either Evans or Sturridge. I can't see Hughes allowing that to happen. But I can see him letting Elano and Benjani go. They are more mecurial.

Wait for it!, stretford (02/09/2008 at 21:36)

Keep on doin what youre doin ched,we need these kids as much as we need the big names if we want to be truly great.
it`s good to be blue

Simo's left peg (02/09/2008 at 21:59)

I don't think Ched needs to worry too much at this moment or Sturridge either. One of the comments are new good Dr stated, regarding his interest in the club, was "It is a great opportunity to further invest with the club and with Dr. Thaksin in regional and international sports promotion and youth development programmes."

This was my biggest worry too as our academy is the envy of almost the entire PL, but hopefully this will be realised and further enhanced.

()

Report

Manchester City