Nigeria Footballer Omeruo Pays Tribute To Essien

Nigeria defender Kenneth Omeruo has highlighted Michael Essien's role in helping him settle down at English Premier League Chelsea.

The 20-year-old joined the Stamford Bridge outfit in January last year from Belgian Pro League side Standard Liege.

But he was immediately sent out on loan to Dutch Eredivisie side ADO Den Haag.

Omeruo is yet to play for Chelsea’s first team, but he says he is being made to feel at home by his fellow Africans at the club.

“Recently I was with Essien at his place, I met his family – it’s really nice outside football to get some advice from the other senior players,” the Kaduna-born player said.

He added that: “I get a lot of messages from Nigerians asking me how is Michael Essien? How is Samuel Eto’o? Have you spoken with them?

“These are players that fans adore in Africa. And training alongside the big names, the likes of [Frank] Lampard and [Fernando] Torres is really, really good. I get to test myself and find out if I’m really ready.

“Eto’o, Essien, John Mikel Obi, Demba Ba, they always say well done. The encouragement from these big players has been really good.

“Every player jokes with everyone, it doesn’t matter how old you are and that’s important for a young player.”

Omeruo is a regular for Nigeria as they seek to play at next year’s World Cup finals in Brazil.