Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has showered praises on Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina, for his exceptional performances in the English Premier League this season.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have been the surprise team of the season, currently occupying the second position on the league table, and the former Torino defender has been in superb form this season appearing in all of their league games.
Mikel, a former Chelsea midfielder, has been impressed with the 28-year old improvements which has also seen him being named in Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher’s team of the season so far.
“He has had a good season so far. One thing he has added to his game this season is that he’s defending well.
He is putting in a lot of crosses now and, of course, chipping in a couple of goals as well, which is absolutely fantastic to see”, Mikel said on the Obi One Podcast.
The Nigerian international has scored twice this season, including a stunning effort in the 3-0 triumph over West Ham United at the City ground in November and his exploits have been noticed by Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, who is reportedly interested in his signature.
The Chelsea academy graduate current contract expires in the summer, after he joined the club on a one-year deal in 2023, and he is expected to be offered a more lucrative offer due to his fantastic performances.
“Listen, we all knew he was a fantastic player at the club. He has gone to Forest and has been playing well since returning to the Premier League from Italy,” the former Super Eagles captain continued.
Aina will hope to continue his impressive form, as he will be in action for Nottingham Forest when they travel to face Wolves on Monday.
Shina Oludare is a distinguished sports journalist and managing editor, renowned for his comprehensive coverage of African football. His dedication to elevating African sports on the global stage has earned him widespread respect, along with numerous accolades for his contributions. A graduate of the LaLiga Business School in Madrid, Oludare’s passion for sports and his influential work in African football journalism have established him as a leading figure in the industry.
