This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Former Charlton manager Chris Powell has become the latest person to raise doubts over Joe Aribo’s move to Rangers.
What’s the word?
Aribo’s position as a free agent this summer meant he was always going to have plenty of clubs clamouring for his services.
A young midfielder with great feet and 15 goal involvements in his final season for the Addicks, all available on a free signing, Rangers beat out competition from the Championship to land the 23 year-old.
Powell though, believes Aribo should have joined Brentford, as he told The Daily Star: “I’m led to believe Brentford were quite keen and you look at their set-up, how they develop players and move them on. I’m quite surprised he’s gone to Scotland.”
While he did say he could see the reasons for moving to Ibrox, namely playing under Steven Gerrard and competing in Europe, he continued: “I’m surprised he’s done it and I wanted him to stay at Charlton if I’m honest.”
Enough is enough
Powell joins Charlton boss Lee Bowyer in being surprised by the move, as Aribo’s former mentor said Ibrox is “not the right place” for him to further his career.
Powell himself has also commented on the move previously, saying back in July that a move to Rangers is the “wrong option”.
This begs the question, just how good is Aribo?
To have two of his former club’s managers basically complaining that he didn’t stay in England, they must truly believe he is something special.
That said, the likes of potential Ballon D’Or contender Virgil van Dijk, legendary England international Paul Gascoigne and Euro 1992 champion Brian Laudrup have all plied their trade in Scotland over the years, as well as countless others, so to act like Aribo is suddenly going to amount to nothing because he’s moved north of the border is beyond ridiculous.
Aribo has quick feet and a good mind for the game, and under the legendary Gerrard he will only get better, so what exactly is the problem?
At 23 he has loads of time to develop and perhaps even return to what they clearly deem to be a superior league, but the constant digs and questions from those associated with his former club are becoming slightly bizarre, and hopefully the young man can do all his talking on the pitch.
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