Super Eagles defender Ola Aina has praised West Ham and English forward Jarrod Bowen, recalling the period they played together at Hull City, Soccernet.ng reports.
Aina, who is currently enduring a tough season at Forest as they are set to get a fourth manager this season, took a moment to praise his former teammate.
The 29-year-old Nigerian international spent the 2017/2018 campaign on loan at Hull City, where he and Bowen were both young players trying to make a name for themselves in the English Championship.
Both of them combined well during that stint, and Aina has shed light into how both of them operated on the pitch during that period.
In a recent interview, Aina revealed that the fact that they were the same age made their partnership on the right flank pretty solid.
He spoke about the chemistry they shared on the pitch, and the approach which often saw he often took because of how easy Bowen made it for him.
”I liked playing with Jarrod. It was really good. I felt that we were both the same age and we were both trying to make a career for ourselves,” Aina said in a Hull City interview.
”It was fairly easy. I would just get the ball and I’d just give it to Jarrod and let him do his magic; that was literally my ethos! Just get the ball, give it to Jarrod, and just see what magic he could come up with as he has a fantastic left foot.”
”He has shown it many times over the past couple of years and obviously throughout his time as well,” Aina added.
Since those days in the Championship, both players have reached the top of their games. While Bowen has become the main man at West Ham and an England regular, Aina has established himself as one of the best and most reliable right-backs in the English top-flight. He even recently hit the 100-appearance milestone in the Premier League.
Ola Aina Hoping To Salvage The Season With Nottingham Forest
For Ola Aina, his entire focus now will be on the City Ground, where he and compatriot Taiwo Awoniyi are still waiting for the new manager to lead their survival charge.
The Tricky Trees currently sit 17th in the Premier League, three points above West Ham, who are in the first relegation place.
According to strong reports from England, former Wolves boss Vitor Pereira is set to take over at the City Ground.
Aina will be hoping that the Portuguese tactician can lead them to a strong finish to the campaign.
