Mark Hughes has moved quickly to improve QPR’s chances of achieving survival in this season’s Premier League by securing Nedum Onuoha from former club Manchester City on a four-year deal. The versatile defender is exactly the sort of player this QPR side needed, and could well be the signing the club needed to be able to shore up their leaky defence.
“Nedum is a player I know well. He is a very good addition to the squad,” he said.
“He did very well for me at Man City and played a number of games, probably more than under any other manager,” Hughes added.
“He is very versatile. He can play centre-back or right-back and has good pace.”
Onuoha was never really given the chance under Roberto Mancini that his previous performances had perhaps deserved, eventually leading to the Nigerian-born defender joining Sunderland on loan last season. Onuoha went on to establish himself as an essential part of the Sunderland defence under Steve Bruce, and would have signed permanently at the Stadium of Light had a fee been agreed between the two clubs. Fans of the betting exchanges such as Betfair sports betting odds need to bear this in mind.
There was no shortage of interest in the defender, however, it appears Onuoha’s eagerness to link back up with Hughes was the deciding factor in his decision.
Hughes will have been well aware that of how important it is for QPR to start keeping regular clean-sheets if they are to have any chance of maintaining their top-flight status. The current team may be lacking in some areas but it’s a tight defence that forms the platform on which this team can build. Onuoha’s presence in the side will certainly improve the club’s chances of achieving that target.