The Vital Interview: Ikechi Anya

Ikechi Anya is next up in our series, read an extract here

AT JUST 24, you could argue that Ikechi Anya’s football existence has been somewhat nomadic.

However, the diminutive speed demon has taken in a number of valuable football experiences on an upwards trajectory that has taken him as far as Watford.

On loan from La Liga outfit Granada, Anya first moved to Spain to join Glenn Hoddle’s private academy. It was a move which had an enormous impact on his career:

“It was really good [working under Glenn Hoddle]. The biggest thing that I could say for him was that the training was really good.

“He had the whole management staff there; like Graham Rix, Dave Beasant and Nigel Spackman. So the whole coaching staff throughout the whole experience there was really good and I think that was the main reason I started to develop as a player.”

Anywa praises all of his coaches in Spain, and is adamant that the biggest difference between Spanish and English football is the emphasis on technique:

“I`d say [the biggest difference between Spain and England] is that it was a bit a more technical there,” declares Anya.

“The last manager I had there was big on set-pieces. We used to spend days at a time just going over set-pieces.’

All that practice has clearly made something near-perfect, and the 24 year-old has enjoyed a good start to life back in England. Here’s to more between now and May.

REMEMBER! This is only an extract. The full, feature-length Vital Interview with Ikechi will appear in Saturday’s Official Matchday Programme for the Hull City clash.