It's a big week for the blues, but before we kick on with our preparations for the Capital One Cup final on Sunday, I believe a huge congratulations is in order.
Manchester City EDS star Emyr Huws has earned his first call up to the Wales national squad ahead of their upcoming friendly with Iceland. The 20-year-old, currently on loan at Birmingham City, has impressed Chris Coleman this season and made an appearance for City's first team in their 5-0 FA Cup third round win over Blackburn Rovers in January. Coleman is excited to hand Huws his chance, and believes Aaron Ramsey's injury gives the youngster the perfect opportunity to show everybody what he can do.
''He is a young player who deserves his chance. He has done very well through the ranks at Manchester City and now, recently, has really done well on loan at Birmingham City.
''With Aaron Ramsey still being unavailable, it is a good chance to have Emyr with us and show us what he can do in training."
Well done, Emyr!
Ahead of City's visit to Wembley on Sunday afternoon, captain Vincent Kompany has revealed how he was left devastated by his side's 1-0 loss to Wigan Athletic in the final of the FA Cup last season. In an interview with the Daily Star, the Belgian claimed the result made him 'stronger' and insisted that the painful memory will push his side to be at their best this weekend.
“In the back of my mind, I still have the defeat against Wigan last season.
''It's not a negative, it has been my drive and is possibly the best thing that has happened in that it has given me even more hunger, the skipper said.
(Kompany is determined not to let his side suffer yet another cup final upset)
“You realise how precious it is to you and your people. It’s alright saying the FA Cup is this, or the Capital One Cup is this, but it really matters.
“And it doesn’t feel nice to go all that way and then, just before the end, you see it taken away from you.
“There are no hard feelings in the sense that we didn’t deserve it that day, but obviously with the talent we have in this squad, you just want to make sure everyone puts in a performance on the day.
“All I know is that it will be a football game like any other, and I just want the whole team to be at its best on the day.
“Emotionally it was tough, and it was something I took on board. I learned a lot from it. After that game, I have never wanted to win trophies so badly.”
In other news, the Mirror report that alleged Manchester City target Víctor Valdés would prefer a move to the Premier League this summer. The Spaniard's contract expires at the end of the season and French giants Monaco have previously been named as favourites to capture the Barcelona stopper's signature. However, the Mirror understands that Valdes has told his advisers to sound out a potential move to the Premier League which may have Manuel Pellegrini's alarm bells ringing.
(Víctor Valdés could be on his way to the Premier League next season)
