KENNETH OMERUO: ONE LOAN DEAL TOO MANY

LAGOS, Nigeria – Super Eagles and Chelsea defender, Kenneth Omeruo is off on yet another loan deal. This time with La Liga side, Legranes. It is his fourth loan deal since joining the Blues in January 2012 from Belgian top side Standard Liege.

First he was loaned to Dutch side, Ado Den Haag on January 3, 2012 shortly after arrival in London from Belgium. He spent 18 months on loan with the Eredevise side. Then came the loan move to Middlesbrough on January 7, 2014 on his return to Stamford Bridge to resume training with Chelsea. On July 21, 2015, Omeruo was again loaned to Turkey, Kasimpasa precisely. On August 31, 2016 he was loaned to Alanyaspor of Turkey.

On August 24, 2017, Omeruo returned to Kasimpasa yet on loan. And just today, August 15, 2018 he has joined La Liga side, Legranes on a season loan deal. The simple interpretation of these loan deals is that there is no space to accomodate him at Chelsea yet he is too good to be freed. However, for a player who is 24 and has won the AFCON trophy in 2013 plus two World Cup tournaments in Brazil 2014 and Russia 2018 to his CV, one would have expected him to have tied up a place in Chelsea permanently.

Coaches have been coming and going in Chelsea yet none feels that Omeruo is good enough with his loads of experience to pin down a shirt in their respective squads. Maurizio Sarri has just resumed and same story. Certainly, something is fundamentally wrong. It is either Omeruo is not destined to play fully in Chelsea or he is just short of the EPL standard. Otherwise, why is it that the man who even bought him from Standard Liege could not give him a place in his sqaud? Andre Villss-Boas was incharge when Omeruo signed for Chelsea. AVB as he is fondly called was involved along side former Nigerian international, Michael Emenalo in the signing of Omeruo, yet, AVB handed him his first loan deal?

John Obi Mikel joined Chelsea from Lyn Oslo of Norway after a highly controversial transfer at age 18. He was allowed to mature with the big boys before being handed first team shirt by Jose Mourinho. Mikel wasn’t loaned out. So age couldn’t have been the reason why Omeruo was loaned out on arrival at Stamford Bridge six years ago. But even if it was age then, presently he is mature and experienced enough to pick a shirt in any club in the world.

Mou who has a record of working smoothly with African players returned in his second missionary journey at Stamford Bridge yet dud not deem it necessary to bring back Omeruo from his loan stay. 

Yes, it is good, Omeruo is enjoying playing time anywhere he goes on loan and of course, he is opportune to be loaned to major leagues where he competes with the best players the sport can boast of, and, most importantly he is earning enough to live well above board. But truth remains that these loan deals are taking their toll on him and his career. He hardly settles down in any league or country. He is like a journey man. This nomadic movement is not healthy enough for his career as he may find it difficult to put things together easily and plan adequately for the future.

Again, loan deals affect a player’s rating and market value. He is always seen along the line of a second-tier or second class player among top agents, scouts and even among national team coaches. Talking about the national team, a player who plies his trade in different leagues in as much years or period may have the advantage of knowing these leagues and their players very closely to help his national team with information anytime they meet the said countries in friendlies or competitive games. But the question is, do these countries meet always?

More so, as a player he may lose focus and concentration since he does not know his fate after the end of any season. This has a way of affecting the overall input, contributions and performance of the player especially in the national team. Perhaps, Omeruo may be silently passing through this psychologically but we pray that he gets the divine favour and grace to secure a permanent or long term recall at Chelsea or any other club after his present loan deal in La Liga.

It is also hoped that he gets a better agent who could manage his career more effectively. Today’s football world and transfer market are controlled by super agents whose players easily get big moves to top clubs with staggering fees. One prays this for Omeruo and other Nigerian players,