And the central defender who faces a busy end to the season with club and country has urged teammate Daniel Sturridge to stay with the Blues when his contract runs out in the summer, and the club to give Stephen Ireland a pay hike.
The ever-alert, ever-thoughtful Onuoha was speaking after being named the Thomas Cook player of the season for March an honour he took ahead of Irish duo Shay Given and Richard Dunne.
Already in his fourth season in the first team since graduating from the Academy, Onuoha has clocked up 14 games on the trot at the heart of the defence since winning his place early in the New Year.
Trusted
At 22 he is mature and trusted enough in the dressing room to be the players' union representative and, refreshingly, he doesn't shy away from giving an opinion whether it be about himself, "people consider me either unique or boring," about Ireland, "I hope the club give him a contract for whatever money he wants," or about Sturridge, "he is one of the best of his age in Europe."
Fresh from a training stint ahead of the UEFA Cup first leg tie in Hamburg on Thursday night, Onuoha is clearly sporting the air of a man in form and a man playing with both his heart and his head.
"I am not self-analytical but I do tend to assess the form of the team and if we are doing well as a unit then you assume the players within it are also doing well," he declared for openers.
"Playing for City means a lot more to me than it would playing for someone else because this has been the main part of my life - apart from education - this is where I started. To get to the top of the ladder here is a massive thing."
Make sure you log on on Thursday evening to catch our live blog of the Hamburg v City game
Onuoha, the England Under-21 captain in recent matches, accepts that ladder has been somewhat extended with the arrival of Sheikh Mansour as owner and with him a new-found ability to compete in the transfer market.
But he refutes the often-held twin notion that the downsides will be an influx of mercenaries and a brooding discontent in a dressing room where pay differentials could be gargantuan.
"As players we are products of the environment that we are in. There is too much emphasis outside of the game put on the money element. I believe it is very rare these days for a player just to go to a club for money. Not all footballers are as greedy as we are sometimes portrayed," he said launching an eloquent case for the defence.
"Winning the UEFA Cup this year would most definitely be important in terms of attracting new players - just as important as being a rich club.
"There is so much potential here it is incredible and ambitious players will want to be part of something that is growing and because they might become hugely successful winning things.
"I have been here when we have narrowly escaped relegation and it would be a great feeling to still be here when in three or four years time we are considered one of the top teams in the country. That really would be a nice feeling to have - that wouldn't be anything to do with the money earned but being part of a team and a club that has developed.
Unique
"Some people say I am unique in that respect, others say I am boring, but for me the money is not the central issue. It is a good profession and we have a good life there is no doubt about it and if I am having a good life then I am not concerned about how good someone else's life is.
"Players who deserve it can be paid as much as they like and it will not bother me one bit for example, I don't want to cause controversy or anything, but I hope Stephen Ireland signs a contract for whatever he says he wants because for me he has been the best player this season.
"I could be earning one hundredth of what he earns and it wouldn't matter to me because that might be suitable for what I need."
Sturridge is currently standing by as his representatives discuss what he might `need' to be persuaded to stay beyond the end of his current contract in the summer. Onuoha believes that there is still plenty of hope that the striker will stay.
"Danny's situation is a funny one because it is not very often that you see a young player of 19 whose contract runs out," observed the central defender.
"Something has gone wrong along the line somewhere but he knows City is the best place for him to be whilst he is still learning his trade. I think in the end that he will stay. I definitely would like him to. For his age he is one of the top players in the country or Europe.
"Danny might also get into the England Under-21 squad for this summer's European championships because when he is fully fit he brings something completely different to the team.
"He has a spark and I would go as far as to say that in training he is technically as gifted as Robinho or Elano.
"He is up there with them though he doesn't always get the credit for it."
What do you make of Onuoha's comments? Have your say.
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I think Ned is spot on with his comments, he`s a level headed lad who has come a long way this season, and will be even better in the future. CTID
It is refreashing to hear a young player talk so candidly about his fellow players and their worth to the team. Nedum has performed exceptionally well since he has been givne his chance, and fingers crossed will continue to do so. He is absoltely right about Ireland, he has ben exceptional. With regard to Sturridge, this is a problem of the club's own making, allowing the contract to run out, and not the blame of MH. It does strike me that Sturridge is being a little greedy, however if he knows that Micah will be earning in the region of £40k per week he will seek parity. I do hope we can keep our young English lads, and they get their chances. Very tough game tomorrow, given their home form and our away form, but think Big Dunney will be immensse and we will nick a 0-0, coem on you blues.
well said nedward :) keep up the good work!!
LOVE this guy's attitude.
"I could be earning one hundredth of what he earns and it wouldn't matter to me because that might be suitable for what I need."
Top bloke. Intelligent. Feet on the ground.
Most improved player this season? Stephen Ireland followed closely by Nedum Onouha.
Although this is not a thread related to Robbie, I am sick to death of so called City fans slagging him off. The guy has had to move to a new country, a country where he hardly speaks the language, he has played more games this season than he has ever done in his life, he has had a totally unfounded court case hanging over his head and to add insult to injury the 'best fans in the world' start giving the best player since bell to wear the clubs shirt stick.
I honestly cannot understand it. I feel many City fans seem to want to return to the days of such greats as Tony Vaughan and Lee Crooks, because at times they put in a 'shift' for the team.
Instead of slagging a genuine world class player off why not try something different and support this lad who is still only young, and has had a really tough last six months.
I watched some of the game at the swamp last night and if you think Robinho doesnt put a shift in you want to watch their number 7!
Get behing Robbie, when he is playing with confidence he has the ability to win us games, and ultimately the UEFA cup. Whether people like to admit it or not he is the best player in the team when firing on all cylinders.
If he was to leave I am sure may fans, like I, would be devastated.
He needs us now more than ever.
Rant over!
ned is bang on and a very wise young man only if other thought like he does he is playing for the love of the game and not his wage packet its rather refeshing that a young player has this attidude rather than being a big time charlie
Danny - Salford ,
8/04/2009 at 09:52
I'll go with that son. Fulham put a 'shift' in against Liverscum on Saturday be keeping 11 men inside thier own 6 yard box all second half and give it last man stand in the trenches tactics. Doesn't work, embarrassing and is crap to watch.
I've got that Derby Day pre-match nerves type sick feeling about tomorrow already.
Maturity beyond his years and Pearce should let him wear the armband in the UEFA u21s in the summer.
More than deserving of player of the month award, has been our best and most consistent player in that period.
Furure captain. What an intelligent young man, very eloquent and thoughtful for a footballer. He is unique and I hope he plays for City for many years.
Known this kid in one capacity or other since he was 14, if ever there was a guy who deserved success due in no uncertainty to attitude.... then ned is top of the list, I hope he is around for many many more years, however first team opportunities will become harder for him, but squad player? absolutely. Been trying to post again and again about a few issues that are rearing there ugly heads behind the scenes, and guess what? the MUEN insist on sensors galore. Its absolutely ridiculous, fobbed off with emails to which i'm told i may be breaching legal issues, do you even read posters profiles muen? Have a little gander.......... my take is they haven't a clue what is going on behind the scenes, fed tit bits to which they amplify, and quite blatantly ignore the fans they are surveying. As usual any form of criticism will be deleted so basically i'm talking to myself. To be at the forefront mr bailey, mr brennan et al, try embracing why you became journo's in the first place, to report news to those less fortunate at having an insight to closed doors....MESSAGE.
Zin Zimmer m14 born and bred............ totally disillusioned.
Danny Salford
I just managed to sneak a post onto the dark side ;-)
the first one in weeks which got passed the mods.
only 4 words, but it's the quality that counts not the quantity.
heheheh
CTID
zin zimmer, manchester
8/04/2009 at 10:32
Hello my friend and i'm in total agreement re Neddy,however i would like to ask your opinion if i may regarding Mark Hughes's position come summer.Do you believe he will still be our manager or do you think it depends on whether we either Qualify for Europe via the league or winning the uefa cup?
I would be very interested on your thought's please.
Top work Ned, I wish him every success. And +1 for Danny's @ 9.52 comments too.
Keep fit Ned!!! You certainly seem to have the right attitude, i could be more happy that you are having this run in the team and it was looong over due. Keep it up and your natural raw talent could make you a world beater!
I think that Neddy has suffered in the last couple of seasons in that Dunne has been the best he can learn from, MH signing a pair of top quality finished article central defenders will help Ned improve his game.
Danny - Salford 09:52
SPOT ON MATE..!!
With Ned making these comments, I just hope that he reads the replies as it will give me an opportunity to say somethng to him.
Ned, the first goal was down to you on Saturday. You left your man to jump for the ball in space along with 2 others. The ball sailed over your head to Adebayor who had a free header. This is not a dig, you are fast becoming our best defender. I just wanted to point this out because this is why Richard Dunne has been getting so much stick this season. He leaves his man to be the hero and ends up leaving a man unmarked and the opposition spot this and we concede a goal. Please don't go down the Richard Dunne route Ned.
Keep doing what you are doing but mark your man.
If someone else leaves their man unmarked, it aint you fault. Let them take the stick. Eventually, all the defenders will learn. (I Hope)
Danny - Salford ,
8/04/2009 at 09:52
Spot on fella,however your banging your head against a very big brick wall with quiet a few on here who clearly wouldn't recognise a world class player if one bit them on the a~~e.
Refreshing, future Captain for club and country if the obvious improvement continues.
The Admiral Mann, - Thats the worry tho isnt it pal, that people don't recognise what a talent Robbie is, and due to lack of support from the terraces he feels his future is elsewhere.
City fans have a choice, help to push the club forward and support the genuine talent we have, and get behind the lads.
Or, criticise our top players for not putting in an adequate shift like some of the completely talentless players we have had the pleasure of watching over the years.
It's also worth remembering the lad has been played out of position and he is carrying a knock.
The old adage still rings true, class willl always rise to the top and Robbie has it in abudance.
What was the difference between Robbies shoulder charge on Sagna which cost us a goal from the free kick, and Vidic's shoulder charge on the Porto striker which resulted in nothing? As far as I could see neither was a foul.
I hope our players were watching last night to get some pointers on how to play as an away team. Very entertaining game.
For crying out loud,when are some of you going to except the fact that all time this rag is in charge we will achieve nothing absolutely 100% nothing,this guy is totally out of his depth and hasn't got the first clue when it comes to team tactics and formations etc etc. Add that to fact that we will not get past Hamburg and we will not finish anywhere near 7th position in the league,so how in the hell with a manager that has achieved nothing going to attract the players that are needed to get us where the owners want to be.
Get yourselves prepared for all the excuses after the game tomorrow because we will lose heavily mark my words.
Can anyone provide me with the score from Monday nights reserve game at Newcastle in which Petrov,Hamann and Benjani were continuing their REHAB after long lay offs.The Muen and our own website dont appear to be interested in reporting on it...
A very eloquent argument from young Nedum,but should we exit the UEFA Cup
in the next fortnight,and subsequently fail to qualify for next seasons
Competition,exactly what will Hughes (or whoever's in charge)be able to offer potential targets apart from money? Life isn't quite as complex as we try to make out sometimes,put simply-everyone's got a price.
re Tameside Blue 8/04/2009 at 12:02
If Nedum has read your post lets hope he gets Dunnie and the rest of the defence together to discuss where they have been going wrong.
With your guidance I am sure they will get it right in Hamburg.