‘Different level’ – BBC pundit raves about Rangers dazzler, makes £20m claim
They say the best things in life are free, and Joe Aribo isn’t half proving that point this season.
The midfielder arrived at Rangers from Charlton Athletic for nothing over the summer, and after a small patch of inconsistency earlier in the season, he looks as if he has finally found his stride at Ibrox.
With five goals and four assists already, including a cracking strike against Hibernian on Friday night, he’s been a real asset for Steven Gerrard’s men so far.
And he’s certainly caught the eye of BBC Radio Leeds pundit Noel Whelan.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “I’ve been impressed by him. He’s good on the ball, got a great left foot and can play in tight spaces and with his back to goal.
“He’s at a different level to a lot of the Rangers players, no disrespect to them, and I can only see him improving under Steven Gerrard.
“You’re looking at a £20million player if he continues to improve. He’s definitely a Premier League player in the making.”
These are big claims from Whelan, but it’s hard to disagree with him.
Aribo, when he is on form, looks like a real threat. He carries the ball with poise and power, and his reading of the final third is intelligent and oftentimes one or two steps ahead of his opponents.
Whelan isn’t the only one to be impressed by him though, with John Fashanu going as far as to claim that the youngster is “exceptional” and has the potential to be one of Nigeria’s most important players going forward, as per the Scottish Sun.
Based on what we’ve seen, that doesn’t sound too ridiculous at all.
In other news, Sky Sports pundit bemoans ‘massive disappointment’ over veteran Rangers player.