Nou kids on De block - Nigel: Soon we’ll be second only to Barca

NIGEL DE JONG admits Manchester City were in complete chaos when he arrived at the club three years ago today.

Next season he expects them to complete an amazing transformation by pushing Barcelona to be the kings of Europe.

Whether the Dutch hardman, 27, will still be around at the Etihad to see the next stage of their incredible journey remains to be seen.

Talks over a new contract have stalled and the former Hamburg man could be sold this summer — unless a compromise can be reached.

What is for sure is that De Jong has played a key role in taking City from Premier League also-rans to a club competing for all the top prizes.

And he would never have believed that was possible when he walked through the door as an £18million new boy back in January 2009.

The Holland international said: "When I first arrived it was complete chaos if I'm being honest. I was thinking 'What am I doing at this place?'

"There was a lot of work to be done on and off the pitch. Back then nobody would have given this club a chance of winning anything.

"But in the space of six or 12 months everything changed — right around the club.

"This is just the beginning. I'm positive this club will go from strength to strength and that's why big players are still coming in.

"If you want to become a dominant force you have to build step by step — and the next step for us is winning the title. Now we've won the FA Cup and everyone knows we are serious about winning the top prizes.

"This year, the Premier League is our aim, it always has been. Then next year we have to go bigger and bigger.

"Maybe next year we can be No 2 to Barcelona in the whole of Europe."

De Jong has been a vital player for City since joining but this season things have not gone as well as he hoped.

A foot injury kept him out at the start of the campaign and, with his team-mates making a blistering start, he has struggled to force his way back in.

But with Yaya Toure away for another few weeks at the African Nations Cup, this is De Jong's chance to shine.

Ahead of tomorrow's clash with Tottenham at the Etihad, the midfield enforcer said: "You want to play in all the games.

"I had a nasty foot injury which kept me out for six weeks. That wasn't the best start because when you come back it can be hard to find your place in the team. But I'm training hard and I'm ready."

City fans know how big his contribution has been — but to others he will always be remembered for two tackles.

One of them was a chest-high challenge on Spain's Xabi Alonso in the World Cup final. Then a few months later in October 2010 he broke the leg of Newcastle's Hatem Ben Arfa.

He added: "Everyone had opinions about those but you just have to play your own game.

"People will see I never had any intention to hurt anybody. I haven't change my game, I'm still the same player."

He has spoken to French ace Ben Arfa several times since and insists there is no ongoing issue between the pair.

De Jong said: "We're cool with each other. That's the main thing, not what everyone else says.

"We spent time talking about it and I know there are no hard feelings there."