Mikel is the greatest Nigerian EPL player – Nwosu

As the controversy is still raging over who is the greatest Nigerian player, former Super Eagles mercurial midfielder, Henry Nwosu albeit may have started another round of debate by handpicking  John Mikel Obi as the greatest Nigerian player ever to play in the English Premier League, EPL.

Mikel joined Chelsea in the summer of 2006 after the Blues resolved their transfer dispute with rivals Manchester United, who had previously announced the signing of the then 18-year-old.

Since making his debut for the Blues under Jose Mourinho, Mikel went on to spend 11 years with the side, winning the Champions League, Europa League, two Premier League titles, three FA Cup trophies, one League Cup and Community Shield diadem.

“Mikel is ahead of them. He was consistent during his time. He performed so well for Chelsea,” the former Super Eagles midfielder told Goal.

“He is a team player and a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the Premier League considering his achievements. He won many trophies.”

Nwankwo Kanu is another notable Nigerian who played in the English top-flight. The lanky forward arrived in England in 1993 joining Arsenal from Ajax.

He spent three years with the Gunners, helping the side to win two Premier League titles, two FA Cup trophies and one Community Shield.

Kanu left the Emirates Stadium to team up with West Bromwich Albion before joining Portsmouth, where he won the FA Cup.

“Kanu did not perform as well as Mikel. We are not talking about individual play here but Kanu did his best,” he added.

Okocha, meanwhile, featured for Bolton Wanderers and spent four years with the club after arriving from Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain and played a key role to help them keep their Premier League status throughout his stay.

“Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Osaze Odemwinge and Celestine Babayaro did their best for their clubs but their performances cannot be compared with Mikel,” he pointed out.

Nwosu assertions in the coming days will be matter of debate by the lovers of round leather game without any doubt.

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