TIME TO ASK: Is HE Better than JJ??

[Enugu II]

In my view, this guy AT THE MOMENT is arguably better than JJ at his prime for Nigeria. I agree that it may require Alex playing at this level for a much longer period for a fairer comparison.... But his play now is lights out and far more positive and his workrate excellent both with and without the ball.

‘He’s a special talent’ – Okocha lavishes praise on Iwobi
https://dailypost.ng/2022/10/12/hes-a-s ... -on-iwobi/
Published on October 12, 2022By Mike Oyebola


Former Super Eagles captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, has voiced his admiration for his nephew, Alex Iwobi.

Iwobi has turned his career around at Everton after initial doubts about his potentials.

The 26-year-old arrived Everton from Arsenal in 2019 but took time to settle down at the club.

The versatile midfielder struggled under managers Carlo Ancelotti and Rafa Benitez, failing to feature regularly for the Toffees under them.


Iwobi is, however, enjoying a new lease of life under Frank Lampard, who has played him in different positions since his arrival at the Goodison Park in January.

The player has scored one goal and provided four assists in nine league appearances for the Merseysiders this season.

He has also played every minute of the club’s league matches.

”It’s great to see him playing to his potential,” Okocha told Everton Live.

“We all knew that he’s got something special, but it’s taken him a little while to settle down and I also think playing under a great manager, who really wants to improve his game and has been playing him in his right position has made a big difference.

“Alex is down to earth. You can’t expect a player to give any more than he does. Whether it’s going well for him or not, you can guarantee he’ll put sweat on his jersey, and that’s what you want from a player – to give 100 per cent at any given time. That, for me, is the minimum requirement for a player and Alex gives that every time.

“I’ve always said to him that he can be too honest! But [playing in different positions] shows he is willing to sacrifice for the team, even if that affects his personal goals and performances.

“I’m glad to see him playing regularly in his natural position, where he can get on the ball and make things happen.

“I think Everton are enjoying the best of Alex now and we’re all delighted that he’s playing well.”

[EMIR KONGI JAFFI JOFFA]

Have you ran out of topics to write about? See wetin DNQ don cause? If to say we qualify now you go have better tins to write. This one no be am at all at all. If prime JJ enters a room with prime Iwobi, Iwobi must stand until asked to be seated.

Opari, nothing less is acceptable.

[TonyTheTigerKiller]

EII,

I see what you’re doing. You’re bored to death and you’re hopping to spur a spirited debate with your rather incendiary statement but you and I both know that Iwobi isn’t at Okocha’s level. Okocha was a consistent game changer almost everywhere he played. Iwobi isn’t quite that yet


Cheers.

[maceo4]

Actual interview https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjnzdMZD ... MyMTA2M2Y=

[jette1]

I think though Okocha was already in his late late 20s/early 30s when he blossomed

[Bigpokey24]

Iwobi is class, oo, but bobo no near Jay Jay at all

[TonyTheTigerKiller]

I think though Okocha was already in his late late 20s/early 30s when he blossomed

Okocha was only 20 at the 1994 World Cup


Cheers.

[Odas]

Have you ran out of topics to write about? See wetin DNQ don cause? If to say we qualify now you go have better tins to write. This one no be am at all at all. If prime JJ enters a room with prime Iwobi, Iwobi must stand until asked to be seated.

Opari, nothing less is acceptable.

Emir, na EII you dey tok to like dis, eh? Well, make you no let EII see am-oo!

[Odas]

I think though Okocha was already in his late late 20s/early 30s when he blossomed

... if so, there is no delay with Alex's progress, then

[Odas]

I think though Okocha was already in his late late 20s/early 30s when he blossomed

Okocha was only 20 at the 1994 World Cup

Cheers.

Sure, but how well did Okocha do in the 1994 world cup?

[jette1]

I think though Okocha was already in his late late 20s/early 30s when he blossomed

Okocha was only 20 at the 1994 World Cup


Cheers.

yea but he was nobody until he went Bolton and signed by Reebok and he was 28

[TonyTheTigerKiller]

I think though Okocha was already in his late late 20s/early 30s when he blossomed

Okocha was only 20 at the 1994 World Cup

Cheers.

Sure, but how well did Okocha do in the 1994 world cup?

Did not play in the first game against Bulgaria, made a cameo against Argentina in the 89th minute but he was brilliant against Greece and Italy. His performance against Greece probably earned him the start against Italy. When commentators talked about Nigeria’s “flair” in that era, they were referring mostly to JJ Okocha


Cheers.

[EMIR KONGI JAFFI JOFFA]

I think though Okocha was already in his late late 20s/early 30s when he blossomed

... if so, there is no delay with Alex's progress, then

He's ma oga but this thread is very Bigpokeyish!

[jette1]

I think though Okocha was already in his late late 20s/early 30s when he blossomed

Okocha was only 20 at the 1994 World Cup

Cheers.

Sure, but how well did Okocha do in the 1994 world cup?

Did not play in the first game against Bulgaria, made a cameo against Argentina in the 89th minute but he was brilliant against Greece and Italy. His performance against Greece probably earned him the start against Italy. When commentators talked about Nigeria’s “flair” in that era, they were referring mostly to JJ Okocha


Cheers.

flair as in clowning around with ball

[TonyTheTigerKiller]

I think though Okocha was already in his late late 20s/early 30s when he blossomed

Okocha was only 20 at the 1994 World Cup


Cheers.

yea but he was nobody until he went Bolton and signed by Reebok and he was 28

This blatant display of ignorance despite the internet and google. Okocha was a legend in Germany and in Turkey. That’s what earned him a transfer to PSG which, at the time, was the most expensive transfer for an African footballer


Cheers.

[jette1]

I think though Okocha was already in his late late 20s/early 30s when he blossomed

Okocha was only 20 at the 1994 World Cup


Cheers.

yea but he was nobody until he went Bolton and signed by Reebok and he was 28

This blatant display of ignorance despite the internet and google. Okocha was a legend in Germany and in Turkey. That’s what earned him a transfer to PSG which, at the time, was the most expensive transfer for an African footballer


Cheers.

we are not talking about transfer fee; we are talking about when did he blossom. It was at Bolton. And that neither super lig, league 1 nor Bundesliga held the apogee of football. which why he agreed a free transfer to EPL because that where you go to have your name written in the sky and i can bet your balls that okocha became known by most people not at PSG or Turkey nor Germany but at BOLTON. this is why you guys flunk waec

[Enugu II]

Have you ran out of topics to write about? See wetin DNQ don cause? If to say we qualify now you go have better tins to write. This one no be am at all at all. If prime JJ enters a room with prime Iwobi, Iwobi must stand until asked to be seated.

Opari, nothing less is acceptable.

Emir,

I am a fan of JJ. Thus, for me to make this comparison requires major conviction. JJ was the dream and when he had the ball at his feet, it was incredible to watch. As I have written in the past, he is one of the few who created their own dribbling moves. Not Messi and not Zidane. The few include the likes of Pele, Maradona, Okocha and Ronaldinho. I do not rely on stories, I have watched them all. In Pele's case, his videos. It is an exclusive club. Those with a signature dribble. Iwobi is not and will not be among those but neither is Messi or Zidane. This is not to compare Iwobi to those greats but simply to note the worth of the dribble invention. It does not remove an iota of someone's greatness.

So why now do I bring up Iwobi? I have watched Iwobi for a long period BUT Iwobi of the last 12 months or so is different. This is a different guy, with a different conviction, and his bar can be above JJ Okocha. That, my friend, is REAL! I watched Iwobi against Ecuador and I saw a guy dominate the midfield thoroughly. It was not like Okocha who dominated when we had the ball. Iwobi dominates with and WITHOUT the ball. That is an entirely different level. The only question and doubt is -- FOR HOW LONG WILL HE DO THIS? If he continues at this level for the next three years, Iwobi will be the bar and not JJ. Take that to the bank. Be convinced. It is not a joke. It is reality.

[TonyTheTigerKiller]

I think though Okocha was already in his late late 20s/early 30s when he blossomed

Okocha was only 20 at the 1994 World Cup


Cheers.

yea but he was nobody until he went Bolton and signed by Reebok and he was 28

This blatant display of ignorance despite the internet and google. Okocha was a legend in Germany and in Turkey. That’s what earned him a transfer to PSG which, at the time, was the most expensive transfer for an African footballer


Cheers.

we are not talking about transfer fee; we are talking about when did he blossom. It was at Bolton. And that neither super lig, league 1 nor Bundesliga held the apogee of football. which why he agreed a free transfer to EPL because that where you go to have your name written in the sky and i can bet your balls that okocha became known by most people not at PSG or Turkey nor Germany but at BOLTON. this is why you guys flunk waec

You are talking absolute nonsense, Okocha, my friend, was selected to the all FIFA team in 1998. He was already a household name by the time he got to France


Cheers.

[Odas]

I think though Okocha was already in his late late 20s/early 30s when he blossomed

Okocha was only 20 at the 1994 World Cup

Cheers.

Sure, but how well did Okocha do in the 1994 world cup?

Did not play in the first game against Bulgaria, made a cameo against Argentina in the 89th minute but he was brilliant against Greece and Italy. His performance against Greece probably earned him the start against Italy. When commentators talked about Nigeria’s “flair” in that era, they were referring mostly to JJ Okocha

Cheers.

flair as in clowning around with ball

... and losing possession to opponents and with no positive 'end' results

[Gotti]

In my view, this guy AT THE MOMENT is arguably better than JJ at his prime for Nigeria. I agree that it may require Alex playing at this level for a much longer period for a fairer comparison.... But his play now is lights out and far more positive and his workrate excellent both with and without the ball.

You people will kill person with COMEDY on CE…

[Gotti]

yea but he was nobody until he went Bolton and signed by Reebok and he was 28

“Natives!” [in my best Cellular imitation]

JJ had STARRED in 2 WCs, won AFCON and Olympics gold before joining Bolton..
But you think that it was playing for Fat Sam Alladyce that made him a ‘somebody’! SMH

[Sunset]

A hilarious thread, but it also makes me realize the similarities he shares with Mikel Obi, so much so that the Okocha comparisons are a big reason they have both been so misunderstood by a lot of Nigerians.

[jette1]

yea but he was nobody until he went Bolton and signed by Reebok and he was 28

“Natives!” [in my best Cellular imitation]

JJ had STARRED in 2 WCs, won AFCON and Olympics gold before joining Bolton..
But you think that it was playing for Fat Sam Alladyce that made him a ‘somebody’! SMH

And so did all the 22 players that made up the Team; na one player de go afcon, WC or olympics.
Let’s face it no one is saying that Bolton or big Sam made jay and if that’s the thought you are barking against then relax. And lets settle this now with one simple fact; when & at what team was okocha’s peak ? (Peak is the highest point you climb to before you start climbing down) It definitely was not PSG nor was Saudi Arabia or Hull city. So what’s the answer ?