CITY'S commitment to quality and youth will be emphasised in the coming weeks when they hope to tie-up new deals for two of their most promising players.
New owner Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak have both made it clear that one of their top priorities is, with Mark Hughes' blessing, to safeguard the futures of young talent at the club.
And amongst the first to benefit from the new regime's vision of the future will be keeper Joe Hart and striker Danny Sturridge.
Both players will be offered fresh contracts that will reflect their status as important members of the first-team squad.
"We are in the early stages of negotiation with both players and their representatives," confirmed the club.
Hart has had to be patient while agreements for key defender Micah Richards and midfielder Michael Johnson have been thrashed out, but could see his wages treble under a new accord.
A near £1m signing from Shrewsbury, 22-year-old Hart is one of the lowest paid members of the first team squad and, not surprisingly, has been quietly seeking bigger wages.
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Now executive chairman Garry Cook and the new regime want Hart's achievements at becoming an England international and reaching more than 40 senior games for City to be rewarded with a new deal that could tie him, like Johnson and Richards, to the club for the next four or five seasons.
Striker Sturridge, too, has made a big impact since graduating from the youth team and making his debut in February 2007.
He found the net twice last season and has already opened his account for this term in the win over West Ham and City are keen to ward off any unwanted attention from other Premier League teams.
They have a head start in the fact that 19-year-old Sturridge is settled with the Blues and not looking elsewhere.
"I am happy here and there is no reason for me to move," he said.
"I am happy, very happy. Signing players like Robinho shows me I have to raise the bar and I believe I can step up to the plate.
"Playing around great players, you can only get better."
Meanwhile, young Blues striker Ched Evans has been included in the Wales squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Germany.
Do you think Hart and Sturridge will be first-team regulars over the coming years? Have your say.
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Peter Beagrie`s beagle (30/09/2008 at 09:50)
He says, “we will be travelling Europe over the next few months"
Linked in with renewing the contracts of such players as Hart and Sturridge bodes well for the future! CTID
Maxie Fergie (30/09/2008 at 09:55)
Is the Pope a Catholic/
The Colin, Stoke On Trent (Mancunian Reject) (30/09/2008 at 09:55)
I think one of the most promising players we have is Vladamir Weiss and perhaps he should be called to the first team; even if it's just for the same of being with the squad.
I saw him in the FA youth cup final and he looked great; scored a stunning free kick and run pretty much the length of the pitch to win the penalty that sealed the cup.
As for Big Joe and Danny Sturridge, we have two top quality young players that would represent a step back if we didn't keep them.
Onwards and upwards!
g1lly blue (30/09/2008 at 10:04)
after all if they dont eventually cut the mustard it will be very hard to move them on ALA mills.
Its all very well having this money but we must also think about sustainability and be a little prudent for the future as we all know it wont be too long till the men at fifa uefa bring in a ruling to compere spenditure to income.
This is our CITY
knowledge is king, Denton (30/09/2008 at 10:21)
albatross, bury (30/09/2008 at 10:47)
What is Mark Bowen on about on the official site? He says, “You might have the ability to bring in a few more world stars, but then find someone like Robinho could be disenfranchised." Why would bringing in world stars stop Robinho being able to vote??!!
Nasty.. , East Stand, Level 1 (30/09/2008 at 11:06)
I think one of the most promising players we have is Vladamir Weiss and perhaps he should be called to the first team; even if it's just for the same of being with the squad.
I saw him in the FA youth cup final and he looked great; scored a stunning free kick and run pretty much the length of the pitch to win the penalty that sealed the cup.
As for Big Joe and Danny Sturridge, we have two top quality young players that would represent a step back if we didn't keep them.
Onwards and upwards!
The Colin, Stoke On Trent (Mancunian Reject)
30/09/2008 at 09:55
I agree Vlad is a very promising young player but he is a little short of our 1st team but next season or after maybe ! after all Hughes has already stated that quality from our academy will always rise to the surface and be given their chance to shine.. that should make us all exited about our future.
CTID Enjoy the Ride !!
Eric, Dutch, 33 years and still there, 33 years and still here (30/09/2008 at 11:10)
Foremost though, both proved how talented they are. They need a lot to learn yet as well, so how good can they get within a few years time.
proudtobeblue (30/09/2008 at 11:12)
RJKS, St Retford (30/09/2008 at 11:40)
N.G.G, Leeds (30/09/2008 at 11:42)
BlueSte (30/09/2008 at 11:44)
tommybatess, Langley (30/09/2008 at 12:16)
don't mean you will be a Premiership star, ask Lee Croft.
I saw Val in the Youth Final looks the business, but needs to bulk up a very lot.
Mister Blue (30/09/2008 at 12:24)
I agree with BlueSte . . . . . would like to see us bring in an experienced keeper as back up, so he can teach Joe one or two things . . . . Maik Taylor (is he still at Birmingham & is he still playing?) would be my choice.
As for Sturridge . . . . . obviously still has a lot to learn, but what I like about him most is that he isn't afraid to shoot. OK, he may not always hit the target, but at least he's having a go!
glad to be blue, halifax (30/09/2008 at 12:28)
Shaun, At My Desk (30/09/2008 at 12:52)
Pablo 1, SW14 (30/09/2008 at 13:06)
The Wright-Phillips Show, A Football Ground Near You (30/09/2008 at 13:18)
I do agree we should get another keeper in but only to create competion
Bugsy Blue (30/09/2008 at 13:21)
30/09/2008 at 12:16
I agree, like most comments on here I totally agree that Hart will be a great kepper! However I have my reservations about Sturridge. Two years ago I was raving about this lad, I saw him in a couple of youth games and everything i heard semmed to point towards him becoming a top striker. I realise the lad is still young but for me at the minute Evans is looking the stronger striker. However I used to think Schmeical was better than Hart, how that has changed! I hope he does come good! I'll keep the faith.
Malta CTID (30/09/2008 at 13:28)
28.09.08 | tribalfootball.com
Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti faces a battle to hold onto midfielder Esteban Cambiasso.
Italian sources say the Argentina international is a target for big-spending Manchester City, with manager Mark Hughes keen to find a new ball-winner to complement his Brazilian stars Robinho and Elano in midfield.
Supporting City is like sex......, WA3 1FS (30/09/2008 at 13:39)
It states that Appiah is still available onn a FREE. It goes on to state that he is desparate to get a deal in the premier league, but feels that he may end up looking elsewhere. Ok lets imagine that we sign this guy on a short term 4mth deal on his reputed requested wage of 60k p/w with the option to offer a further 12/18mths in Jan 09 if succesful. What do the club lose, 1mill in wages, with the greatest respect to Bojinov by his return in feb 09 he will have cost us 10mil in wages and transfer fee for around 120mins of action... Again respect to the Boj' but you see my point. Appaih is a respected player who has played at the highest level and is still only 27yrs old. Hey if it works out we have a player with a good sell on value on our books... no brainer a bit like Mpenza..especially with if we do progress to the league stage of the UEFA cup and all the additional games that brings.. Midfield dynamo is what we lack, throw the dice and give the lad a 4mth contract... go on
Dear MUEN, i submited a post yesterday in which i asked could we be given an update as to the condition and whereabouts of some of the injured and new players.....
Benjani, Bojinov, Petrov, Vassell and the missing Brazilian.... any news ?.
Bluereed my voice only (30/09/2008 at 13:42)
Hart and Casper would learn a lot from Given i have no doubt.
Horlock gets one Back (30/09/2008 at 13:45)
Tim Kendall (30/09/2008 at 14:07)
And, can we forget about signing lighwieght Italians that spend most of their time on the floor whinging. We need some players in the same mold as Richards... quick and heavy
Tommy C, Oz (30/09/2008 at 14:14)
Daniel Sturridge has a harder task ahead of him, he and Ched are really vying for the same spot in the squad. We will definately bring in another striker as there is no reason not to anymore. Jo is getting a run at the moment and so he should at 19 mil. If we pay 35 mil for the next one where does that leave DS. Bojinov when fit will hold his place in this squad and of the others only Benjami could possibly offer anything that the others couldn`t. I hope Danny stays around, he has come along nicely and scores enough to suggest that he could enjoy a long career in the EPL.