Former England midfielder Danny Murphy has waxed lyrical about former Super Eagles captain Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, hailing the legendary midfielder as a “free spirit”.
Okocha's spell at Bolton Wanderers in the early 2000s is fondly remembered, with the mesmeric playmaker captivating fans with skill and flair. Murphy, who faced Okocha during his playing days, was among those mesmerized by the Nigerian's talent.
The former Liverpool and Tottenham man, while on TalkSport, recalled specific instances of Okocha‘s brilliance, highlighting his ability to produce moments of pure magic on the pitch.
Jay-Jay Okocha ‘always played with a smile'
“He’s the only player I ever played against who did two things to me in one game,” Murphy said.
“The first one was a meg. I’ve been megged by other players, but it was a lovely one and he got around. I thought, ‘Oh, I’ve dived in a bit, I’ve got to give this fella some respect.
“The other one, he was stuck in a corner and he scooped one over my head. He scooped it over my head and got it the other side. You know when you’re just raging. I couldn’t get near him.
“He always played with a smile on his face. That freedom to try things that I wouldn’t want to try in a game. And he could shoot. Just a free spirit. An absolute talent in skill, playing with that creativity.”
Jay-Jay Okocha arrived in England in 2002, joining Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer and he quickly became a cult hero at the Reebok Stadium.
During his four-year spell with Bolton, he scored 18 goals and made 10 assists in 145 appearances. He also helped Bolton secure a place in the UEFA Cup and reach the League Cup final in 2004.
