PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Odion Ighalo – Why he wakes up at 3am to watch Watford play

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Odion Ighalo – Why he wakes up at 3am to watch Watford play
Eagles stars Odion Ighalo and Kelechi Iheanacho

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Tuesday Nov 21, 2017. 10:00

Following his move away from English Premier League side Watford, Nigerian international striker Odion Ighalo has revealed his reasons for joining Chinese Super League side Changchun Yatai.

Ighalo says the move was purely based on reviving his career at the expense of his love for the EPL as one of the best leagues in Europe.

According to the Super eagles hitman, he moved on from Watford to Yatai after West Bromwich Albion’s interest came to nothing.

Ighalo, whose last season with Watford was far from the standards he set in his debut campaign in the EPL, revealed his struggles to cope with the new systems of then-manager Walter Mazzarri.

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“I moved (to China) because that was what was best for me,” he said to Sky Sports.

“West Brom did not meet Watford's valuation but when the Chinese offered £20m, it was not bad cash for Watford.

“My second season in the Premier League was not that great, we had a new manager and new system, which meant I played on the left and sometimes on the right. It was difficult, everything was not going right and I did not find it easy.

“I didn’t want problem with my manager. It was difficult for me as I wanted to stay in the Premier League.”

The 28-year-old striker adds that he had good times at Hetfordshire as he helped the team graduate from the Championship to the EPL.

“I had a great time with Watford, from the Championship to Premier League,” adds Ighalo.

“The fans still close to my heart, the players.

“Troy Deeney is a great guy, in and out of dressing room, a fighter, who chases every ball. It was a pleasure to play alongside him and my connection with him was exceptional.

“I wake up 3am in China to watch Watford play, they are great team with a great manager, they can only get better.”




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