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11th November 2023
05:22pm GMT
"Simply put, Chiedozie is a class act. That’s been established over the past four years as the former Limerick FC winger, wing-back, centre forward or second striker (he could probably do a job in midfield) went from League One to the EFL Championship to exposing Alexander-Arnold at Kenilworth Road.
"The England international was targeted by Luton manager Rob Edwards. It was immediately evident that Ogbene was positioned on the left to isolate him. He continually burned Alexander-Arnold on the outside before drawing a number of fouls.
"By some distance Ireland’s best player throughout 2023, Ogbene’s technique has massively improved since his League One debut for Rotherham in 2019. He made improvements through relentless, individual work. There is no other way.
"There is no reason why he cannot aim for Champions League football. And not necessarily with an English team. It’s his versatility, the ability to play left or right, as an attacker or wing-back that will earn him a lucrative deal.
"Stephen Kenny, to his credit, identified Ogbene’s potential before most when capping him against Hungary in 2021. He rose to the challenge of going toe to toe with Hernandez or Kostas Tsimikas. Ireland are not the same team when he is injured."
Not many people would have been calling for Ogbene to playing at the highest level in Europe even just a season ago, but seeing how quickly he has progressed in recent years, Kilbane's prediction might just come to fruition. Related links:Explore more on these topics:
