Heavily linked to Liverpool in July 2018 and then Newcastle in February this year with nothing concrete coming out in either case, it does appear that Super Eagles winger Moses Simon hasn’t given up on him dream to kit and come out of an English Premier League dugout sometime soon. Perhaps the least reported on was the most likely to materialise which was the interest from Brighton and Hove however, just like the 2 previous cases, this move also hit the rocks with Simon seemingly reluctant to shed more into what transpired. However, owing to the rather horrific seasons that fellow Super Eagles colleague Leon Balogun is enduring in the sea side club (where he has managed something like 2 appearances in 2 seasons from hell before linking up with Julius Aghaowa’s former club Wigan Athletic in the English Championship), many Super Eagles fans would be heaving a sigh of relief that Simon’s move to Brighton failed to materialise. Having said that, there is no guarantee that Moses Simon would suffer the same fate as Balogun whose shortcoming was the failure to dislodge the established centre defensive pair at the club. “I (still) have strong desire to play in the English Premer League; this is my dream.” said Moses Simon according to Nigerian online football media outlets.
For a league that thrives in bringing in and developing younger players, 24 year old Simon will be hoping for that dream to come to reality sooner rather than later. That said, the Nigerian winger can look to players like Odewingie, Drogba and Aubameyang who joined – and subsequently thrived – the English Premer League towards the later embers of their 20s as proof that his dreams can still become a reality. Often underrated, Moses Simon is such an exciting talent. I watched in amazement how he was deployed as a centre forward to ruthless effect this season in France bearing in mind that only last season, he was distinguishing himself as a left wingback in Spain. So, from a winger to a wingback and then a centre forward, Simon is packed in all the flavours required of a well grounded disciplined utility player. And this will not be lost on clubs in the English Premer League who could be in search of a player with core competencies and dynamic capabilities across the park. With the talent to be deployed in multiple positions, the skills to adapt expeditiously to requirements and the dexterity to mount performances consistent with expectations, Moses will always be a much sought-after player. Maintaining the sort of discipline and application will surely put in him good stead to grasp the opportunity with both feet when an English Premier League opportunity comes knocking again in the not too distant future.