Just before the World Cup finals in Brazil when Keshi had snubbed the man who was vital to Nigeria’s AFCON triumph in 2013, the news broke that West Bromwich Albion had just acquired the services of a certain Nigerian breaking their club record transfer fee. It turned out to be Brown Ideye.
Brown Ideye (born 10 October 1988) is a Nigerian international footballer who plays as a
forward for English club West Bromwich Albion. Ideye began his career with Bayelsa United, before moving to Ocean Boys. He was a member of the Ocean Boys team that won the Nigerian Premier League. Ideye moved in January 2008 to Europe and signed with Swiss Super League club Neuchâtel Xamax.
Before this move to Switzerland, he was on trial in the Netherlands with Willem II Tilburg, but was not signed. After three years with Xamax, Ideye left to sign for French Ligue 1 Club FC Sochaux.
On 6 July 2011 he signed a five-year deal with Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv. He made his first appearance on 16 July against PFC Oleksandria and scored two goals. In his second game for Dynamo he scored two goals again against FC Obolon Kyiv. On 7 August 2012, Ideye scored the winner in a Champions League qualifying 3
rd round second-leg game against Feyenoord, in which Kyiv ultimately progressed.
He also scored against Borussia Mönchengladbach in the second-leg of the play-off round. Mönchengladbach won the game 2–1. Ideye was an unused substitute in Dynamo Kyiv’s 2–1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the 2014 Ukrainian Cup Final. On 18 July 2014 he signed a three-year deal with English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion, becoming the club’s record, signing at £10 million. The contract also has an extra year in the club’s favour should they chose to keep him. He will wear the number 9 shirt for the club.
So far this season he has failed to find the back of the net after 3 Premier League starts.
Here are five reasons he should start scoring goals:
1. 10 million pounds is huge money for a club like West Bromwich Albion (Transfer Record Signing)
For the club to part with that kind of money for a striker shows their desperation to score goals. Since the end of the loan spell of Romelu Lukaku and the departure of Shane Long, West Brom have found it difficult to score goals, which almost relegated the team to the lower division. The onus is now on the Nigerian forward to start scoring goals that will keep them afloat.
2. To revive the Super Eagles
Given his non- inclusion in the recent Super Eagles matches, he has to be at his very best to get a recall and the only way to do that is to start putting the ball at the back of the net. Emmanuel Emenike is currently the reliable striker but he is yet to find the net in the last 9 matches for the Super Eagles. That opens the door for Ideye if he can get the job done.
3. The weight on the jersey he is wearing
It is no hidden fact that jersey No 9 in world football depicts a free scoring striker. Brown Ideye must start living up to the expectations of the jersey handed to him.
4. To increase his goal to game ratio
The value of a striker in these modern times is his goal to game ratio. Ideye’s ratio currently is below 0.2 which is very bad for a Premier League striker.
5. To avoid relegation
The key to West Brom’s survival lies in the amount of games they can win, and to win games they have to average 2 goals per match. The responsibility is on Ideye to deliver those crucial goals for the baggies. As the saying goes, “uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.” He has to deliver or face the reality that may follow as a result of not doing so.
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This article was first published on 18th September 2014
obimartins
Martins Okafor is a Sports Writer for Connect Nigeria. He has been a sport buff for years, following stories and development in leagues and international competitions. His interest led him to writing stories – reporting on sporting events. He has superior interest in soccer, but knows much about other sports. He plans to have a blog and to advance in sport journalism. You can email him at: obimartins85 [at] gmail.com
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Just before the World Cup finals in Brazil when Keshi had snubbed the man who was vital to Nigeria’s AFCON triumph in 2013, the news broke that West Bromwich Albion had just acquired the services of a certain Nigerian breaking their club record transfer fee. It turned out to be Brown Ideye.
Brown Ideye (born 10 October 1988) is a Nigerian international footballer who plays as a
forward for English club West Bromwich Albion. Ideye began his career with Bayelsa United, before moving to Ocean Boys. He was a member of the Ocean Boys team that won the Nigerian Premier League. Ideye moved in January 2008 to Europe and signed with Swiss Super League club Neuchâtel Xamax.
Before this move to Switzerland, he was on trial in the Netherlands with Willem II Tilburg, but was not signed. After three years with Xamax, Ideye left to sign for French Ligue 1 Club FC Sochaux.
On 6 July 2011 he signed a five-year deal with Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv. He made his first appearance on 16 July against PFC Oleksandria and scored two goals. In his second game for Dynamo he scored two goals again against FC Obolon Kyiv. On 7 August 2012, Ideye scored the winner in a Champions League qualifying 3rd round second-leg game against Feyenoord, in which Kyiv ultimately progressed.
He also scored against Borussia Mönchengladbach in the second-leg of the play-off round. Mönchengladbach won the game 2–1. Ideye was an unused substitute in Dynamo Kyiv’s 2–1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the 2014 Ukrainian Cup Final. On 18 July 2014 he signed a three-year deal with English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion, becoming the club’s record, signing at £10 million. The contract also has an extra year in the club’s favour should they chose to keep him. He will wear the number 9 shirt for the club.
So far this season he has failed to find the back of the net after 3 Premier League starts.
Here are five reasons he should start scoring goals:
1. 10 million pounds is huge money for a club like West Bromwich Albion (Transfer Record Signing)
For the club to part with that kind of money for a striker shows their desperation to score goals. Since the end of the loan spell of Romelu Lukaku and the departure of Shane Long, West Brom have found it difficult to score goals, which almost relegated the team to the lower division. The onus is now on the Nigerian forward to start scoring goals that will keep them afloat.
2. To revive the Super Eagles
Given his non- inclusion in the recent Super Eagles matches, he has to be at his very best to get a recall and the only way to do that is to start putting the ball at the back of the net. Emmanuel Emenike is currently the reliable striker but he is yet to find the net in the last 9 matches for the Super Eagles. That opens the door for Ideye if he can get the job done.
3. The weight on the jersey he is wearing
It is no hidden fact that jersey No 9 in world football depicts a free scoring striker. Brown Ideye must start living up to the expectations of the jersey handed to him.
4. To increase his goal to game ratio
The value of a striker in these modern times is his goal to game ratio. Ideye’s ratio currently is below 0.2 which is very bad for a Premier League striker.
5. To avoid relegation
The key to West Brom’s survival lies in the amount of games they can win, and to win games they have to average 2 goals per match. The responsibility is on Ideye to deliver those crucial goals for the baggies. As the saying goes, “uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.” He has to deliver or face the reality that may follow as a result of not doing so.
