Chelsea and Nigeria defender Kenneth Omeruo has been granted a work permit and will be available to play in the Premier League, according to reports yesterday evening.
MTNFootball.com quoted a Chelsea official:
“Kenneth has been granted a five-year work permit by the British Home Office. It’s a big breakthrough.”
It’s believed that Chelsea have used the ‘special talent’ argument to ensure the 19-year-old’s permit was granted just as they did when his team-mate John Obi Mikel first arrived at Stamford Bridge.
Omeruo has enjoyed regular football for Eredivisie club ADO Den Haag on loan but it has been his performances for his country that has really got him noticed over the past several months.
He made his full international debut for Nigeria in January during the African Cup of Nations against Cape Verde and went on to play in all their games usurping Joseph Yobo’s place in the back four. The Super Eagles won the tournament for a third time and Omeruo went on to feature for them during the summer’s FIFA Confederations Cup. He had a decent tournament but Nigeria didn’t make it past the group stage, unfortunately.
It’s up to the Chelsea management whether he’ll be part of the first-team setup this season or if he’ll be back out on loan. I’d prefer it if he stuck around as he deserves the chance to impress Jose Mourinho and from what I’ve seen I think he’s a little more developed than Tomas Kalas as an all-round defender, especially as the Czech is mostly deployed at right-back.
At the moment I think David Luiz is the only guaranteed starter out of our current centre-backs. John Terry has struggled for fitness for an extended period now and I’m not sure how likely he’ll be able to play week-in week-out, Gary Cahill is a good backup option but no starter and it remains to be seen if Branislav Ivanovic can make the step up to first choice centre-half from right-back or being used as a utility defender. Omeruo has a lot to learn but I think he’s the most first team ready youngster that we have and can provide a challenge if given the chance.
Of course, regular football is the most important thing in terms of his development but if he does go out on loan I hope it’ll be to a Premier League club.
Source: MTNFootball.com
He’s good and can do the job if called upon. I FF him through the Acon and the confederation cuP as well.