Nigeria young sensation, Kenneth Omeruo has completed a season long loan move to the championship side Middlebrough from Chelsea FC in England.
The Nigerian 20 year’s old defender played 14 games for Middlesbrough in the second half of last season and has decided to re-join the team in a bid to aid his improvement.
Kenneth Omeruo who came to limelight in but little was known of him until his strong partnership with Geoffery Oboabona gave Nigeria the AFCON trophy in 2013 with both players sending the experienced Nigeria skipper, Joseph Yobo to the bench.
Since the AFCON heroics, Nigerians have been keeping tab on their upcoming strong centre back who is already shouldering lot of responsibilities.
Despite his top class performance at the just concluded FIFA world cup in Brazil, it is difficult to believe Kenneth will be playing the next one year in the championship.
There have been lot of argument as to whether he has a future been a Chelsea player especially when the club manager has decided to have 19 year old French defender Kurt Zouma in the squad at the expense of Omeruo.
The question remains whether Zouma is a better player but it must be said that Middlesbrough will gain more by having the young centre back in their team.
Speaking to the club website, Middlebrough manager, Hector Karanka said: “He is a very important player to us”.
“He is someone I love to have with us because he is a player who came here from Chelsea and his mood was always perfect.
“He was always happy and fighting for his position.
“He was handed the opportunity to play in the World Cup and he is now coming back to us a better player.”
Kenneth speaking about the transfer said he made a decision after speaking with both Michael Emenalo and Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho which indicates he is in the future plans of the team.
In his speech, he said: “I had a chat with Michael Emenalo and after hearing the plans Chelsea had for me next season, I think the best place for me to achieve this goal is to go back to Middlesbrough.”
“I want to thank Chelsea and according to Mourinho, Middlesbrough is the best place for me to gain enough experience and play a lot of games. I made a decision after hearing from Mourinho and Emenalo and I am happy with my decision.”
Whatever transfer decision is been made, Nigeria fans will only hope Kenneth Omeruo will continue to play at a top most level and keep his place in the National team set-up.
Even though many will be pleased to see him playing consistently for a top English club lie Chelsea which has not happened since the good days of Joseph Yobo at Everton Fc, but his development is vital at this stage as well as his abilities to adapt to the style of football in England.
Kenneth in my opinion should be given a chance to fight for a place in the Chelsea defence which was streamlined with the departure of David Luiz to PSG.
