Premier League - Lampard 'wrong about kids'

Eurosport - Thu, 02 Apr 14:43:00 2009

Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha has rejected claims from Frank Lampard that too many young players are in the comfort zone.

FOOTBALL 2006-2007 Manchester City Nedum Onuoha - 0

Chelsea midfielder Lampard questioned the motivation of some youngsters, feeling they have it too easy in the present day compared to in the past.

Lampard claimed younger players would be better served under the old apprentice system of cleaning players' boots, feeling some are too pampered.

However, England Under-21 star Onuoha insists youngsters at City are not given any preferential treatment as they progress through the ranks.

"Maybe he knows a few people (in the comfort zone) but in terms of our team and the players I know, a lot of players don't get 'too much too young' because you have a grounding," Onuoha told the Daily Telegraph.

"Even at Manchester City, it's very hard at the academy. You don't just walk into a professional contract. You always have to work hard whether you're cleaning cars or something like that.

"Although people say that's gone from football, there's still a lot that goes on, he added.

"The majority of us at City used to clean the coaches' cars. It was (youth-team coach) Alex Gibson's car and it was quite a big car so it took a while.

You can still go to some places now, like in the FA Academy League, and see a lot of people doing ground-work there.

"We were at Derby the other day and we weren't sure if one of the players there had to cut the grass, but it's not something people are aware of.

They just think, 'He's a young player and he's got this and that'. It's not like that at all."

TeamTalk / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 7 of 7

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  1. Nedum Onuoha is obviously still cleaning cars now as i­ have never heard of him.

    From afcwasps, on Thu 2 Apr 6:37PM

  2. ha what does lampard know about the old system. i didnt­ realise making sordid sex tapes behind your partners­ back was such a hard learning curve in football. fact­ is they always get paid too much and that only­ increases as they progress

    From JohnW, on Thu 2 Apr 2:55PM

  3. The fact is they are paid far too much for what is­ really just kicking a ball at the end of the­ day.

    Footballers should have their salaries capped at­ average wage levels and then they might be more humble!

    From james, on Thu 2 Apr 1:43PM
  4. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Nedum Onuoha? Who is he?

    From gravydriving, on Thu 2 Apr 1:33PM

  5. Just look at Michael Johnson if what the media were­ reporting about him is true he seems very grounded.

    From Gearstick7, on Thu 2 Apr 1:22PM

  6. true talk, weda u like it or not.

    From ebiks79, on Thu 2 Apr 12:54PM

  7. Going back to basic can be good for discipline and­ training of young footballers. There are many legends­ and great footballers came through that channel. Today,­ youngsters choose the less tolerance mode and hence­ becoming more arrogant.

    From alfredhe, on Thu 2 Apr 12:15PM
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