Ola Aina’s stellar performances for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this season have not gone unnoticed, with Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel publicly applauding the defender’s recent form.
The Super Eagles star has been a key figure in Forest’s surprise rise to second place this season, delivering consistent performances against some of the league’s toughest opponents, Footballrover reports.
A standout season for Ola Aina
Nottingham Forest has shocked the football world by climbing to second in the Premier League standings, ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea.
Central to this success is Ola Aina, who has played every league game this season.
The defender has shown remarkable versatility, excelling in duels against elite wingers like Liverpool’s Luis Díaz and Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho.
In addition to his defensive brilliance, Aina has made an impact in attack, scoring two goals in the league so far, matching his career-best tally in just 19 games.
His impressive contributions also earned him a spot in Jamie Carragher’s team of the season for the first half of the campaign.
Mikel highlights Aina’s growth
John Obi Mikel, who once played alongside Aina at Chelsea, recently praised the 28-year-old on The Obi One Podcast.
Mikel also noted how Aina has seamlessly transitioned back to the Premier League after his stint in Italy, proving his quality at the highest level.
“He has had a good season so far. One thing he has added to his game this season is that he’s defending well. He is putting in a lot of crosses now and, of course, chipping in a couple of goals as well, which is absolutely fantastic to see.
“Listen, we all knew he was a fantastic player at the club. He has gone to Forest and has been playing well since returning to the Premier League from Italy,” the Chelsea legend said.
With interest from Manchester City, Ola Aina’s stock continues to rise.
Nottingham Forest is keen to secure the defender’s services long-term, with contract renewal talks underway as his current deal ends this season.
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