City new boy, Marc Vivien Foe admits that the name of Kevin Keegan was a huge attraction in joining the Blues. There was never any contest between the chance to play Champions League Football with Lyons or to wear the laser Blue of City under the guidance of Kevin Keegan.
That’s the opinion of Marc Vivien Foe who has been speaking for the first time since starting pre season training with his new team mates at Carrington.
The former West Ham player says that he checked out life at City with Eyal Berkovic and Paulo Wanchope, both of whom he knew when he was at Upton Park, and fellow countryman, Lucien Mettomo before agreeing a move to Maine Road.
But the discussions were merely a formality, as the twenty seven year old, who played for Cameroon in the World Cup, could not turn his back on an offer from someone like Kevin Keegan.
« I have had a nice rest since the end of the World Cup and I am ready to play again now, » said Foe who has been brought in on a year’s loan to play in a holding midfield role and is valued at around £5m.
« Kevin Keegan was the most important single reason why I came to Manchester City. He is a man who knows everything about football. I think under his guidance I can learn more and improve my game further. It was important to be part of his side. »
« Everybody knows what he achieved in the game and he is a lovely guy who inspires players. It is very important for a player to have such faith in their manager. He is easy to work with both on the pitch and outside it and he is a man who will adapt. »
The midfielder had some inkling of what to expect as he had watched the Blues last season and knows of the potential in the squad. That was another reason why he turned his back on other offers.
« I watched some of City’s games on television last season and there are many good players here. Everything is on our side and in place to help us succeed this season and it is up to us to play together and for each other. It should be a great challenge. »
« I got two or three propositions but it was important for me not to stay where I didn’t like it and Manchester was the best choice for me. Now I have been here for a week I am sure I made the correct choice, » he went on.
The option for Kevin Keegan to make the deal a permanent one at the end of this season is there and already after just five days with the Blues the midfielder is hopeful of winning a contract with City.
« I want to play in England. I think the style of play in the Premiership suits me and I hope I stay a long time. My objective is to win something with Manchester City. I believe there is real potential here for this team to be one of the biggest in England. »
« I hope everything works out and I can stay here for a long time. We have players here who like working hard and who enjoy training. It is important that we have a great spirit and that we play for each other. That is how we will get the best out of the team. »
