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Playing in the English Premier League remains the biggest dream of every footballer in the world irrespective of the club they represent. No doubt, England have served as a good ground for Nigerian players such as Daniel Amokachi, Austine Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Joseph Yobo, Obafemi Martins, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Osaze Odemwingie to mention a few in the past, that have graced the league.
However, it has not been kind to one of Super Eagles towering defenders, Leon Balogun. The 31-year-old has been found life difficult since he joined Brighton from Bundesliga side, Mainz in 2018.
His arrival was greeted with a loud ovation by some football pundits in Nigeria after his brilliant performance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where the Super Eagles crashed out in the group stage.
But with just eleven appearances in all competitions for Brighton, Leon Balogun has been advised to quit the club in a bid to save his international career.
The German-born player has not played for the Super Eagles since the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations due to his lack of game time at Amex Stadium.
With him losing his place in the national team, former Nigerian defender, Austine Eguavoen in a chat with Completesports that was monitored by Soccernet.ng advised Balogun to leave the Seagulls.
“Balogun is a good player, but he needs to start playing regularly to be able to resuscitate his club and national team football,” Eguavoen said.
“Now that he is not getting games at Brighton, he has to look at his options – either to bid his time and fight for his place or seek a move to another club elsewhere provided there are clubs showing interest in him.
“If there are no clubs showing interest in him, then it is the job of his agent to earn his pay by getting a club for him. A loan move to another club during the coming January window or a move to the lower division will do.
“What is important is for him to move to a club where he will get to play regular football to boost his confidence and give him the much-needed match-fitness which will ultimately help him revive his Eagles career.”
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Maybe the biggest dream of Nigerian footballers, but playing in the English Premier League is not the biggest dream of every football player in the world.
The best individual players are still not in England. I have read of some very good Italian and Spanish footballers who have turned down requests to move to the EPL.
In England, the game has not changed much from grit to skills. Football management thrives better in the EPL and, thanks to the stable and weightier value of the Pound Sterling, some oyibo players from poorer countries tend to be drawn to it for its money in particular.
And that explains the reason behind the high rate of coaches being laid off the job in the EPL than in say, the Italian, French or German leagues. More money (value) much higher expectations. My opinion, though.