Sun Jihai: I'll shine in new slot
(Manchesteronline)
Updated: 2003-08-22 16:37

Sun Jihai is confident that he is the answer to Manchester City's problem right back slot.

Kevin Keegan's switch from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2 towards the end of last season left him without an orthodox out-and-out defender on the flank but Sun has adapted quickly to a change of role from wing back and is happy with the contribution he has been making.

As well as helping the Blues to clean sheets in their opening two contests against TNS in the Uefa Cup and at Charlton in the Premiership curtain- raiser, Sun also found the time, space and energy to join Nicolas Anelka at the top of the scoring charts and notch his third Premiership goal so sparking off a media frenzy in China that would have shocked even David Beckham.

One of the eight Chinese journalists sent to cover Sun's every kick for City actually fainted with the excitement of meeting him face-to-face after the 3-0 win at The Valley.

It has been a remarkable turn around in fortunes for the 25-year-old who has superstar status in his home country but who looked like he would face a struggle to retain his place in City's side after losing his place at the end of last season.

Sun sat out virtually the last three months of the season after clocking up 25 appearances in the first team.

Comfortable

"It is wonderful to be in the side and though I have not always played at full back for City it is a position with which I am comfortable and familiar because I played there a lot in China and at left back, too," he said today.

"Last season I seemed to be battling with Shaun Wright-Phillips for one place but this season we have both managed to get into the side and that is good.

"I think Shaun has so much to offer the team and we are beginning to get an understanding as a pair down the right hand side. I am enjoying playing.

"The team got off to a great start at Charlton on Sunday and it was nice to score the goal but I hope the supporters do not expect one every match!

"I thought we did well as a team. There was a lot of hard work from everyone and that is important.

"Kevin Keegan has stressed how important it is to be consistent and so we must forget that game now and move on to the next one and play just as well with the same intensity."

Sun, who became the first ever Chinese player to score in the English top flight when he found the net at Birmingham City last season, has been a permanent fixture during the pre-season games and boss Keegan admits that the player is very much at the forefront of his thinking.

"There is nothing written in stone but Jihai is definitely in poll position at the moment in the right back slot," confirmed the manager. "He has improved."