Jay-Jay Okocha has said that modern players cannot express themselves as much as they could in the past. He has cited the increased emphasis on tactics and structure in the modern game as a reason for this.
“Well, I think things have changed. It’s difficult really for players now to express themselves,” Okocha said in an interview with LiveScore.
“I had the luxury to have my identity and to try and show what I can do with the ball. But now they are all limited.
You can say that maybe (Kylian) Mbappe looks exciting, as well as (Kevin) De Bruyne, (Rafael) Leao from AC Milan as well.
“Apart from that, it’s hard for me to pick out one that has that freedom to express himself.
It’s now about finding the right moment to do it for the team. Not just for the heck of it!”
The modern game is much more complex and demanding than it was in the past, and players are under more pressure to perform. This can make it difficult for players to take risks and express themselves freely.
However, Okocha seems too harsh on the current generation of players. There are still plenty of players who are able to express themselves and show their skills.
For example, Kylian Mbappe, Kevin De Bruyne, and Rafael Leao, which he mentioned, are all players who are known for their creativity and flair. They are all able to take risks and create something out of nothing.
Of course, there are also plenty of players who are more limited in their expression. But I think this is more a reflection of the way the game is played now, rather than a lack of talent on the part of the players. There are some truly gifted footballers playing today, and they are capable of some incredible things.
