Article on SL10 Nigeria website of interest:
http://www.sl10.ng/news/articles/catego ... chy/191152"Kelechi Iheanacho And Chidebere Nwakali Yet To Prove Their Worth To The City Hierarchy
Kelechi Iheanacho and his 2013 Under-17 World Cup winning mate Chidebere Nwakali would have thought their career was destined for the skies when they were included in Manchester City's pre-season tour of Scotland and the USA.
While Iheanacho made the squad trip to America, Nwakali dropped down a level to the reserve team to complete his pre-season preparation.
They were rumours that both players will be offered a professional contract upon reaching 18, with some suggesting both players will be loaned out immediately after they sign the dotted lines.
However, that does not appear to be the case, as a well informed source close to the deal has revealed to SL10.ng that both players still need to prove their worth to the City hierarchy to earn professional deals at the Etihad.
Both players signed a pre-contract but our source revealed it only gave City first offer on refusal on both players when they turn 18 and at the moment they are literally on trial training with the City first team.
"Being 17 worked against them as the club could only offer them pre-contract and not a professional deal, if they were 18, City would have been forced to sign them permanently," the source revealed to SL10.ng
"Their situation is similar to the case of Moses Simon and his failed move to Ajax Amsterdam, after signing a pre-contract as a 17-year-old.
He said while Iheanacho appears to be inching towards a professional contract building on his reputation earned during the team pre-season tour of America with strong performances, the same can not be said of Nwakali who appears overawed by the presence of City's top stars.
As it stands one among them might not be signed but Iheanacho won't be short of suitors if City fail to offer him a professional deal."
