Joseph Yobo was one of the most consistent defenders in the Premier League between 2003 to 2008. He played for Everton football club for 10 years before he moved to Turkey where he played for Fenerbahçe for 4 years.
During his days in the Premier League, Yobo had the opportunity of playing against some of the deadliest strikers the Premier League has ever seen. Top on the list includes Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, Chelsea’s goals icon, Didier Drogba, Manchester United fearless forwards Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, and Tottenham Hotspur’s goals machine Robbie Keane.
Among all these star strikers, the former captain of Nigeria national team said Thierry Henry and Didier Drogba stretched him a lot. He even mentioned Samuel Eto’o who spent a season at Chelsea between 2013 and 2014 when he was on loan at Norwich City as a striker he can easily pin down. Recall that besides club football, he has met with Eto’o and Drogba in a couple of continental engagements.
Among all these strikers Joseph Yobe had faced in his football career, the Nigerian legend said former Tottenham’s striker Robbie Keane gave him more problems than any other.
“There were a few that gave me problems, the likes of Didier Drogba“, he told Brila FM. “Thiery Henry used to stretch me a lot. “I used to look up to the duels with him [Henry]. He was so quick, talented and skilful. You have to be fit to face Henry because he will embarrass you and score a hat-trick, but that never happened with me.
“Keane plays in a position that was very difficult – off the main striker. So when he drops off the striker, it’s difficult to mark him.
“Keane was one of the cleverest I played against in the EPL. His movement was very difficult because we were of different sizes.
“I always love playing against Drogba, who I can feel, and [Samuel] Eto’o, who I can pin down. But when he drops you’re with a choice of going all out and leaving behind space or staying back in my position.”
Keane played in the Premier League for almost 9 years before he moved to LA Galaxy in 2011. He is currently out of active football just like Yobe who was just appointed the assistant coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
