It has been a good week for Chelsea players on the international stage as Petr Cech won Czech Republic player of the year once again, Ashley Cole earned his 100th cap for England, Frank Lampard scored a winner against Brazil, with Oscar starring for the Brazilians in the same game and John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses and Kenneth Omeruo helped Nigeria to the African Cup of National final.
Moses is unfortunately a doubt for Sunday’s final against Burkina Faso due to injury but will face some fitness tests beforehand. Mikel has been in great form during the tournament and has been missed in Chelsea’s midfield since he left for South Africa, but the biggest story where the Nigeria-Chelsea connection is concerned could be that of Omeruo.
The 19-year-old centre back is currently on loan at Dutch club Den Haag and has been a revelation in the Super Eagles’s defence after Stephen Keshi gave him the chance to shine for his country.
After a positive showing from the bench during the 1-1 draw against Burkina Faso in the group stages the youngster started the next four matches which included keeping former Chelsea man Didier Drogba and co quiet when Nigeria defeated the Ivory Coast in the quarter final stage and the 4-1 thumping of Mali in the semi finals. The feat is all the more impressive as he was originally named as a backup player.
The Chelsea scouts at the tournament have enjoyed the defender’s progress and the player is not only certain to return to Stamford Bridge in the summer, but there’s even talk of recalling him from his loan early.
The best of luck to Chelsea’s Nigerian trio (hopefully Moses makes returns to full fitness) against Burkina Faso and I hope that they come back to Chelsea as champions.
