Odion Ighalo has said that money was the main reason he chose to go to China when he left Watford, rather than anywhere else.
Despite offers from the likes of Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion, Ighalo said that the money on offer from Changchun Yatai was more beneficial for both himself and the Hornets, prompting him to head to the Super League.
However, the Nigerian insists he is still a Watford supporter following his time at Vicarage Road.
“There’s lot of reasons I went there [China]. I wasn’t playing much in Watford and I did not want to keep sitting on the bench,”Ighalo told the Watfordobserver.
“Watford fans don’t know it but I had an offer from Crystal Palace on the table and West Bromwich but the club was looking for big money and that’s why I accepted Changchun Yatai at the time. So, instead of me sitting down there and not playing I had to move. When the opportunity came for me I accepted it because China could pay what Watford wanted. But this is past tense now. I am happy and Watford are happy because they made a lot of money with me. And they are still my team in the Premier League.
“I don’t know about other players. Maybe they go there for different ambitions. Me? Yes, I went there for the money I am honest but I don’t know why other players go there for.”
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While financial gain may have been his initial motivation for heading to Asia, Ighalo said he has no regrets about the move and has been pleasantly surprised by how quickly he believes the Chinese game is progressing.
“Before I went there, people said a lot of negative things about the Chinese League but when I went there I saw a different game,” he said.
“The league is really growing, they have a lot of foreign coaches and players who improve the league. All I can say is that the Chinese Super League is improving every day and I am very happy about my choice. Regrets? No everything is going well, I am happy there and working hard.”
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COMMENTS
at ur age then…u don’t need a decorated career or name but you need d Money..
https://youtu.be/spC4NStn1Ps
Half fit martins is better than what we have been experiencing of a late in naija football.
Fully fit Obafemi Martins – 42 matches 18 goals
Goals per game ratio – 0.43
Odion Ighalo – 35 matches 16 goals
Goals per game ratio – 0.46
Victor Osimhen – 9 matches 4 goals
Goals per game ratio – 0.44
Correct yourself while you still can. Lolz
Hahahaha…ha.Drey, is that another way to say shut up?Lolz..
Hahahah…Biko stop pouring petrol into a kerosene lamp….!
Obafemi 19 goals in 42 matches 98% goals from open play and against top class opponents, debut brace against ireland you remember that faithful day when the great was unveiled. To crown it all. He scores heart breaking goes not tap ins neither is he wasteful like Yakubu junior if he finds tap in. Martins has a goal ratio of 0.45 almost every two matches he scores a good goal. Martins is blessed with pace, skills, shot power, finesse and finishing prowess. No wonder he was called weapon of mass destruction. Tell me what nickname Ighalo earn?
Odion ighalo 16 goals in 35 matches 60% from open play 40% from penalty, 95% of goals from tap ins. Major disaster at the world cup wasteful and cost us major tournament from his u20 days through till the super eagles. But he is a good philanthropist with a goal ratio of 0.45..
Oshimen is still upcoming i won’t draw him into this after only 9games, even after 9 games ihenacho had a better goal ratio.
Politics is the only reason martins was left out even when Rohr was patiently waiting for Ighalo to score over a year not until the fishermen teams came calling. Lol Martins have conquered Italian, Spanish, English, Germany,Russia,American and Chinese leagues with over 177 goals with a very decent goal ratio. Make we dey talk true that is why i gave the high light for you to watch before you vomit mediocrity.
The stats say only one thing….”Shut up”
LMAO
Lol! But he won’t listen…..lol
LMAO.
If we bring out more stats now, he will shift his arguement to Ighalo has only one wife, Obafemi Martins has four wives…..we bring out more stats on that one too, he will shift to Ighalo is an Edo boy and uses JuJu…Obafemi does not. Lolz
I don’t know why some people find it easy to tell lies on top of what doesn’t add a even cent to their pockets. Lolz
“…Politics is the only reason martins was left out under Rohr…”
Was it politics too that kept him out under Keshi, Siasia, Amokachi and Oliseh too…?
Some people’s lying skills can make even the devil jealous. Lolz
What stats Bush man alongside his aids Martin has over 177goals and Ighalo has less than 150goals and you’re here bragging about what shit despite most of his goals coming after hectic misses upon miss. Make una park well una no get talk!
Hahahaha…the stats still say “SHUT UP”.
LMAO
Mediocrity is the only thing that has clouded your mind else you’ll avoid self deception.
Career stats
Obafemi Martins all time goal per game ratio – 0.381
Odion Ighalo’s all time goal per game ratio – 0.407
Who is celebrating mediocrity…? LMAO
The stats still say “SHUT UP”
Continue arguing. You hear. Lolz
I just pity whoever calls you ‘father’. If I get ds kind mumu as papa, I for don use am do blood money teytey.
“…Isaac Success is FAR BETTER THAN Ighalo…” Who is celebrating mediocrity….?
“…Musa Muhammed is FAR BETTER THAN Ola Aina…” Who is celebrating mediocrity….?
“…Uche Agbo is FAR BETTER THAN Ndidi…” Who is celebrating mediocrity…?
“…I live in a country where I have access to free internet…” Who is celebrating mediocrity…?? LMAO
Watching that video, all I could see first were somasaults,that I quickly stop, fearing Martins might just miss his landing n come out of my phone… Anyway I understand what Chima was trying to say. Not really about goal ratio but his very direct n tenacious attacking valve. On that, @ Chima is very correct. Non of our present are any close to that Martins biting attacking threat.
Bro, I appreciate your sincerity.
And for Dr. Drey, I expect more sincerity from you even against all odds.
Ighalo might be better than Martins on book ( of which I ain’t sure about) but any blind man would recognize Martins as a better striker compared to Ighalo, in a team u have both players at their best, would u pick Ighalo ahead of martins?
Let’s put aside our individual differences when judging matters, u just point out d truth
thats why i respect white players and tomorrow Nff will appoint you as Super Ragle coach?
Ighalo as a coach will cause more headache i can’t imagine how he will handle coaching eagles and egunje debate, with what him and coach Rohr perfomed whilst he was in the SE.
Don’t bother your head hating on him yet. He’s not a poor cargo like you.
He currently earns £200,000 per week. He’s a super rich big boy. Coaching doesn’t seem to be his next ambition with all the huge investments he has all over the place.
You are here hating….lmao. Don’t go and look for work to do.
This lunatic rabbied dog will never change.
Hehehehehe. Ashu ‘aja digbolugi’ splashy, I know you are still frustrated bcos their death wish upon me has not come to pass. LMAO
Chima’s dog pls crawl back into your kernel. Lolz
…your death wish…