The former England coach believes Jay Jay Okocha could have played for Premier League giants like Manchester United and Arsenal
Super Eagles star Jay-Jay Okocha left an indelible mark on the Premier League during his time at Bolton Wanderers.
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However, according to former Three Lions manager Sam Allardyce, who brought the Nigerian to Bolton, Okocha’s talent was never fully appreciated in England.
Allardyce believes Okocha could have played for Manchester United, Arsenal
Reflecting on Okocha’s legacy, Allardyce shared his admiration for the Nigerian playmaker in a recent interview, saying, “He was never appreciated in this country because he played for Bolton. He could have played for any of the top clubs.”
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Allardyce expressed surprise that Premier League giants didn’t snap him up, saying, “To this day, [I am] massively surprised that it wasn’t the Man Uniteds, or the Arsenals, or the Chelseas, or the Man Cities, or the Liverpools, didn’t come in and sign him, particularly on a free transfer.
Despite his flair and creativity, Allardyce also praised his ability to do the right thing at the right time, saying, “Jay-Jay mastered the fact that when the trick came, it was the right time to do it, in the right place. Don’t do it at the edge of our box in case you don’t get it right.”
Okocha’s Premier League legacy
Okocha’s arrival at Bolton in 2002 coincided with a challenging period for the club, battling relegation from the Premier League.
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While injuries hampered his early days, Okocha bounced back tremendously, and the Nigerian delivered crucial goals, including a stunning winner against West Ham in a pivotal relegation battle and a decisive strike on the final day of the 2002/03 season to secure Bolton’s top-flight status.
During his four seasons at the Reebok Stadium, Okocha mesmerised fans with his flicks, tricks, and long-range efforts, earning him the Premier League Player of the Month award in November 2003.
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From his humble beginnings in Enugu, Nigeria, to lighting up the Premier League, Okocha will always be remembered by Bolton fans as a legend, even if the others in football failed to fully appreciate his brilliance while he was in England.