Opinion : Three things Aribo needs to step up to ensure a smooth return to English football

The transfer window has been a good one for Nigerian players as many promising moves are being finalized ahead of the new season. However, Super Eagles star Joe Aribo has been the biggest transfer for Nigerian players so far.

Aribo has departed Rangers after making 149 appearances in which he scored 26 goals after joining them from Charlton Athletic in 2019.

It was officially confirmed on Saturday that the lanky midfielder is now a Southampton player.

The ex-Charlton starlet joined Rangers for £300,000 in 2019, scoring a total of 26 goals in 148 appearances, playing a key role whilst scoring the opening goal in last season's UEFA Europa League final.

During his time at the Ibrox Stadium, he played a key role as Rangers won the Scottish Premiership for the first time in ten years in 2021, before starring as they won the Scottish Cup and qualified for the final of the Europa League in 2022.

Now that the midfielder has completed his move back to English football, allnigeriasoccer.com takes a look at three things he needs to step up to ensure a smooth return.

Tempo

While the Scottish premiership is in no way a weak league, the Premier League is a different ballgame. The tempo in the EPL is extraordinarily high and creative/attacking players like Aribo barely have any time on the ball.

Aribo was brought up in English football which means he has tasted the tempo in one way or another but he hasn't done it at the highest level. Now he is about to embark on a journey at the highest level and he will need to step up his tempo to succeed.

Crossing

While Aribo is quite effective when utilised correctly, his crossing ability leaves a lot to be desired. Many EPL teams rely on different crossing techniques to create goalscoring chances and Aribo would have to step up on this front.

Holding off

No doubt that Aribo is a strong player. However, there is a difference in strength when a player is off the ball and when he is on it.

Aribo's holding off of players when on the ball still needs room for improvement and in the Premier League where holding off players is a key trait, Aribo would need to step up in this regard.

Sofoluwe Mayowa

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