- Leon Balogun was expecting a fast style of play from United against Brighton
- The Nigerian who joined Albion from Mainz insists it is a different style in Germany
- The Super Eagles ace is looking forward to a faster game at Anfield on Saturday
Nigeria and Brighton defence ace Leon Balogun has admitted he was baffled by Manchester United’s slow football strategy during his club’s 3-2 win over the Premier League giants on Sunday.
According to a UK Guardian report, the Nigerian centre-back who joined Albion’s from Bundesliga campaigners Mainz on a free transfer, was under the impression that the English topflight would be faster to what is obtained in Germany.
Although his findings about the Red Devils’s attacking approach probably brought out more facts about the club’s Portuguese boss José Mourinho’s tactics than that of the English topflight.
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But Balogun stressed after the match he would likely see a quicker pace when his side Brighton face Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.
“Some of the lads have just asked me that too and I said I had expected the Premier League to be quicker, but they told me this is always the kind of game you play against United,” Balogun said.
“They like to slow it down a little bit sometimes. Liverpool is going to be completely different. I know how [Jürgen] Klopp likes to play. It’s going to be a lot quicker and a lot more intense,” added Balogun who represented Nigeria at the summer World Cup in Russia.
Interestingly, the encounter saw Balogun start proceeding from the subs bench but was ushered into the hostilities after the Chris Hughton’s tutored-side lost Lewis Dunk to an ankle injury on the 20th minute mark and the Eagles ace came on for his debut and instantly formed a formidable pair with Shane Duffy in the heart of Brighton central defence.
“He (Balogn) fitted straight in,” Duffy said.
“He’s a big character in the changing room. He’s got a big voice. He’s played with big players in big games. That’s why you bring in players like that.
Leon Balogun steps in to replace Lewis Dunk after 20 minutes Photo credit: Getty Images
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“They push us. He was great. That’s another plus for us, that strength in depth with top players. You pick up injuries and suspensions so you need these kind of players to step in,” the Republic of Ireland centre-back submitted.
Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously had reported that Portuguese club CD Nacional have completed the signing of highly rated CHAN Eagles midfielder Christian Madu from Nigeria Professional Football League side, Enugu Rangers.
According to a statement from the club the 25-year-old Madu has penned a four-year contract with the Madeira-based outfit.
“CD Nacional and Enugu Rangers agreed on the transfer of Christian Madu to Madeira,” reads a statement on the club’s official website.
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Source: Naija.ng