‘We had to wait’ – Ogenyi Onazi explains his failed move to English giants Chelsea

By Saheed Afolabi

Nigeria ex international, Ogenyi Onazi has disclosed the reason why he could not put pen to paper at Chelsea.

The former Super Eagles midfielder starred for the Golden Eaglets at the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2009 where Nigeria lost to Switzerland in the final on home ground.

When asked on his botched Chelsea switch, he said that he was underage and hasn’t attained the age of 18, stressing that his manager made him join Lazio youth team before earning promotion to the first team.

“When I was young, I almost signed for Chelsea, but we were underage and couldn’t play,” Onazi was quoted by Ajansspor.

“We had to wait until we were 18. There was a lot of process. That is why my manager decided that we would go to Italy at that time.

“So he could start in Lazio’s second team and then, when he developed, he could start in the first team.”

Onazi now ply his trade for Italian fourth division side, Avezzano.