From Ghana Web

Manchester City have plans for me- Abu

Ghana midfielder Mohammed Abu claims he is in the plans of English Premier League giants Manchester City.


Abu was signed by the Eastlands outfit in 2010 but was immediately loaned out to Norwegian side Stromsgodset.


In October last year, the 20-year-old signed a new contract until 2014.


"The City officials told me I'll play a key role at the club as soon as I get my work permit so I am trying my best as a player and looking forward to the chance," Abu told Storm FM.


"Even though they have quality and experienced players, the technical team says they are not thinking about selling me to any club."


He added that: "They believe I can do something for them soon.


"As a player, I get a lot of offers but City have intensified their pursuit of my work permit so I can play soon.


"I learnt they receive a lot of encouraging reporting from the technical team of Stromsgodset about my progress."


Abu played in the qualifying rounds of this season's Europa League with Stromsgodset before they were eliminated by finalists Atletico Madrid.


He was a member of Ghana's squad at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

Didn't he go on loan to Eintracht Frankfurt and couldn't get into the team (didn't make 1 appearance) so he went back to Stromgodset?

I'd love to know what happened there because I thought he could've done quite well for them.

Interesting. Looked a lovely little player in Norway bt obviously that was against second rate opposition. Not sure exactly what happened with Frankfurt?

It's possible the club want to try him at Carling Cup/early FA Cup level like they did Suarez, Rekik, and Scapuzzi this season. He's gotten great reviews in Norway and while he couldn't get a game at Frankfurt, this was more down to the manager not wanting to touch a title chasing team that was doing so well (which is now promoted) than Abu's ability. We need more squad depth and that will include talented young players willing to wait their turn.

Yep worth a closer look in pre-season. If they were any work permit issues, it is covered with his loan spells?

Can you play reserve/next gen games without a workpermit?

Yes but at 21-22 he needs to be playing consistently at a pro level. It's the only way he'll get caps from Ghana and qualify for a WP.