It’s exciting being with soccer fans during matches, with their rib crackers targeted at outstanding players and the fumbling ones. After the game between Chelsea and Swansea, a colleague sent us all reeling when he said John Mikel Obi’s bench role had assumed a new dimension – “Look, wetin una dey talk? Which kind bench warmer be Mikel sef, since how many years now? Mikel bench role don get seat belt; abi una no get eyes to see say dem don strap Mikel for the bench? Abeg no tell me say Mikel wan make im contract end jare! Na so he go siddon look so tay this season go end.”
Indeed, the seriousness with which this colleague lamented Mikel’s serial presence on the bench sparked the debate on his stay at Stamford Bridge instead of joining Al Ain, like his Super Eagles mate, Emmanuel Emenike.
Another colleague took on this Mikel critic, insisting that the Nigerian international shunned Inter Milan to remain at Chelsea. Not one to run away from challenges, the Mikel critic fired back, referring to the internet to buttress his facts. If you think that was the end of the debate, Mikel’s apostle also went to the internet to show the story where indeed the Chelsea star was mentioned in an Inter Milan transfer rumour. Yes, this will be the trend anytime matches are played until the end of May 2016.
My take on this Mikel-at-Chelsea saga is that we should respect the player’s decision. His plans are close to his chest. He will quit at the appropriate time. Not playing regularly for Chelsea is a function of the type of tactics Jose Mourinho has for each game. Besides, Chelsea has over 50 matches to play this season – if they play to their strength. It is only fair to expect Mikel to play enough of these matches, injury permitting. I would rather have Mikel play for Chelsea than to be a regular in smaller European teams.
Mikel will learn more on the intricacies of the game under Mourinho’s tutelage than with any Lilliputian manager. Mikel’s game has improved since he joined Chelsea. The only difference is that he ceased to be an offensive player. Mikel has played for every Chelsea manager since he joined The Blues. And this says a lot about the quality of his talent. Who says Mikel cannot retire from the game after his contract at Chelsea next year? Must Mikel play the game forever?
I thought I had seen the last of such post-match debates until I was confronted by a fan of Arsenal who screamed: “Oga, una wey dey talk for television, make una tell Mourinho make e come return our money wey we pay for Cech o! Cech kill us against West Ham. I never see that kind thing. Wo, I never enter my house since Sunday. I dey run from my friends. Dem go kill me.”
I was awed because this raving Gunner was really pained by his team’s home loss to West Ham. Sadly his message amounts to shouting in the desert because I couldn’t help him. Of course, his rants wouldn’t get to Arsenal’s management in London. But I can bet that that angry man would be the first person to watch Arsenal’s away game against Crystal Palace.
Fans must understand that every game has its own strategy. Gunners have lost their opening ties before. What counts at the end of the 38-match league is where each team finishes on the log. For Arsenal, they have been consistent in grabbing the UEFA Champions League ticket. Gunners have their own stadium and rank among the richest clubs in Europe. Losing an opening game shouldn’t be a problem for their aspirations. Arsene Wenger knows his onions.
I wasn’t shocked that Victor Moses didn’t play for Chelsea against Swansea. He was elbowed in a mid-week friendly at Stamford Bridge against Fiorentina FC of Italy. He could have been benched for this Sunday’s cracker against Manchester City at the Ethihad Stadium. I also won’t be surprised if at some stage in the all-ticket game against Manchester City if Mikel is introduced – that is if he doesn’t start with Moses.
Looking at the reviewed matches since last week, I felt happy about the exploits of Odion Ighalo at Watford. I wasn’t shocked by the uncanny way in which Ighalo waltzed his way past two Everton defenders before delivering a pile driver, which went into the net. Of significant importance is the cheeky way Ighalo dribbled John Stones, the defender that is causing transfer palavar between Everton and Chelsea to score for Watford. I admire Ighalo’s confidence on and off the ball. He showed that he is a technical player with the way he changed his team’s tempo of play when he was introduced in the second half.
Osaze Odemwingie returned to Stoke’s squad as a closing stages substitute. He did quite well, trying to create openings for his side through his decoy runs, but it appeared Liverpool players were ready for Stoke, having lost this fixture last year 6-1. Though rusty, Osaze exhibited traces of brilliance, which could count in his favour in subsequent matches. Sadly, Osaze is out of this weekend’s match for Stoke, according to coach Mark Hughes on Thursday evening.
“Unfortunately Peter has got a hamstring strain and is likely to miss the next couple of weeks. It’s disappointing for him because he has worked tremendously hard throughout pre-season,” Hughes said at the pre-match press conference.
I was excited when Jordaan Ibe revealed that he would decide his international soccer future with Nigeria in 2016. It could be Nigeria or England. I pray he plays for Nigeria, irrespective of the abundance of talents at the grassroots. Eagles need players who can distinguish themselves, not those to be taught the rudiments of the game.
At 21, Ibe is better prepared than any true 21-year-old at the grassroots. The ones from the grassroots are raw and may not have been drilled in the rudiments of the game. He may also not have played in any stadium. At best, such a lad from the grassroots is used to playing on school grounds with bamboo goalposts or at public fields where fans invade the pitch with every goal scored.
The true 21-year-old in Nigeria wouldn’t have played before 20,000 spectators, let alone 60,000. But Ibe, having been through the mill in England, isn’t frightened by the crowd. Ibe won’t be struggling to use good soccer boots, unlike the grassroots chap.
We have had brilliant young boys play for our age-grade teams. Yet, many have asked where these boys are especially when their contemporaries at the age-grade levels of other countries blossom. I plead with Oliseh to get back to Ibe for his decision, even if it means convincing him to opt for Nigeria. Ibe’s lifespan in the game barring injuries would be longer than any grassroots player in Nigeria.
It’s great to report that Taiwo Awoniyi will soon be a Liverpool player. He has joined his Golden Eaglets mate Iheanacho in the quest to shake the Barclays English Premier League in the next two years. Awoniyi, we are again told, will be loaned to Dutch club SC Heerenveen. Report on Friday suggested that the Dutch club denied this arrangement. That is how most celebrated transfers start. Awoniyi will use the Dutch club’s matches to polish his skills ahead of making the biggest impact by any Nigerian player, since Nwankwo Kanu rocked the English game. With Awoniyi and Iheanacho in Europe, my dream of the Super Eagles being the Cinderella of the Russia 2018 World Cup is looking real.
I wasn’t shocked on Monday night seeing Kelechi Iheanacho sitting on the bench. For me, it was a great improvement from the past where he watched Manchester City’s matches from the stands. Those picked ahead of Iheanacho are clearly better strikers, with rich pedigree of scoring goals at the top level. With time, Iheanacho will mature into a great player at Manchester City. Argentine star Aguero is an injury-prone player and I expect Iheanacho to take his chance any day he plays in Aguero’s place.
It is not all sweet tales for Nigerian players in England, with the shocking news that two former Eagles players Brown Ideye and Victor Anichebe could be sacked by West Brom. It is rather ironic for Ideye because at this time last year, he joined West Brom as the club’s biggest buy. What could have gone wrong with Ideye’s game in 12 months? That is the way the cookies crumble. Anichebe joined West Brom from Everton but he has been troubled by injuries. We only hope that manager Pulis gives the Nigerians another chance.
“People will look at Victor and Browny and think they have to move on, but they have wanted to play more regular football anyway. Does bringing Salomon in hasten their move from the club? We’ll have to wait and see,” Pulis told the Express & Star.
The Scottish Premier League is on. Indeed, two Nigerians, Ambrose Efe and Juwon Oshaniwa, have made their marks playing for Celtics and Hearts. This season looks like one in which Nigerians will shine in Europe. We only hope that their performances should be enough to get them on the shortlist for the 2015 African Footballer of the Year award.
It is been a long while Nigerians got the award. Let us pray!
