Nigel De Jong

Nigel De Jong has blamed Howard Webb for their loss in the World Cup final. The Rotherham-born official handed out a World Cup final record 14 bookings and sent off Dutch centre back Johnny Heitinga during the controversial clash.

Nigel de Jong is pushing Manchester City to sign fellow Netherlands international Gregory van der Wiel this summer.

City manager Roberto Mancini is interested in the Ajax right-back, who is valued at £10million.

De Jong believes that getting the 22-year-old, who was awarded Holland’s Young Player of the Year this season, would fill a hole in the City defense.

Nigel de Jong is convinced the pain of Manchester City's derby-day misery will be forgotten if the Blues can secure a top-four spot.

City boss Roberto Mancini appeared totally stunned in the aftermath of Saturday's defeat to United, when Paul Scholes headed the winner 20 seconds from time. It was the third occasion this season the Blues had been beaten by a stoppage-time goal from Sir Alex Ferguson's men.

MANCHESTER CITY’S Nigel de Jong has told his Premier League rivals: “ We can win the title this season.”

Big-spending City have moved up to fourth after four successive wins and De Jong says that is where Roberto Mancini’s team are going to stay. De Jong said: “Of course we can remain in the top four – we are here to stay.

“And the title this season is also a possibility – in fact nothing is impossible. Everyone is positive and up for it, we are all excited by what’s happening here at Manchester City.”

De Jong believes a contribution that was also reflected in the player-of-the-month award for Tevez before kick-off on Monday must force Ferguson into revisionism.

"It is up to the player to show his worth on the pitch," the Dutchman said. "Some people have a different view on Carlos Tevez but if they look at him now, they will change their mind. I'm just glad he's playing for us. There are a lot of great players in the Premier League but you look at his impact the last few weeks.

Manchester City midfielder Nigel De Jong says that the club are not just pushing for the top four, but are targeting a challenge for the Premier League title as well.

City have been in good form of late and are unbeaten under new manager Roberto Mancini. De Jong has played a key role in the club's charge up the table and now says that a title tilt will not be beyond them.

Nigel de Jong has welcomed the arrival of Patrick Vieira to Manchester City - though hopes he's not joined to take his place!

Vieira sat out Monday's victory over Blackburn Rovers. De Jong said: " I would like to play with Patrick Vieira because he’s one of my idols.

“He is a big, big name and a big player for me – and I hope I’m not dropped for him! Before you know it, you’re back on the bench.”

De Jong feels that the close-run nature of that encounter shows that City are more than a match for their illustrious neighbors. It is encouraging when you play that kind of game and lose it in the last couple of seconds," the Dutchman said, according to the Manchester Evening News.

"Everyone still has that game in their memory, but we have to keep the pride and the spirit going on. It's a different game, and I don't like to look back, but there are things our supporters can never forget and it would be good to give them a nice result on Wednesday.