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Yvan Neyou Noupa praises former teammate Kenneth Omeruo as an exceptional defender whose talent could have seen him play for bigger clubs, while expressing optimism about CD Leganes’ fight to avoid relegation in LaLiga.
The 2013 AFCON winner and Super Eagles stalwart, Kenneth Omeruo, has been hailed as a diamond hidden in the rough by his former CD Leganes teammate, Cameroonian midfielder Yvan Neyou Noupa.
In an interview with Pulse Sports Nigeria, via LALIGA, Neyou boldly claimed that Omeruo’s talent and leadership qualities could have seen him shine at a much higher level than his current career trajectory, potentially with some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
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Omeruo, who spent five seasons at Leganes and was named captain for the 2022/2023 season, left a lasting impression on Neyou during their time together at the Spanish club.
Reflecting on their bond and Omeruo’s abilities, Neyou described the Nigerian defender as both a brother and an exceptional leader on the pitch.
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“Kenneth is my friend, as another African player - it’s easy to have a relationship with him. I’d say Kenneth is a brother, and he really gave me a warm welcome [to Leganes],” Neyou said.
“As the captain of the team, I thought he was an excellent defender, really skillful. He knew exactly when to play the ball, when to clear it, and when to defend.”
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Neyou’s glowing praise shows Omeruo’s reputation as a versatile and intelligent centre-back, whose composure and decision-making have been hallmarks of his career.
The 31-year-old, who has also had stints at Chelsea and Middlesbrough, has been a mainstay for Nigeria’s national team, earning plaudits for his consistency and leadership.
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However, Neyou suggest that Omeruo’s talents may have been underutilised, with the defender potentially capable of competing at an elite level in one of Europe’s top leagues.
“I think he’s the sort of player who could have even played for perhaps bigger clubs and perhaps higher than where he actually played,” he added.
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The conversation also turned to Leganes’ precarious position in LaLiga, where the club is battling to avoid relegation.
With only two matches remaining in the 2024/2025 season, Leganes sit four points from safety following a 3-0 defeat to Villarreal.
Neyou, who remains optimistic despite the club’s struggles, admitted the difficulty in pinpointing the root of their issues.
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“I’m not sure [what] the problem is, it’s hard to say. If I knew what the problem was, I’d try to solve it as quickly as possible,” he said.
“I think in this kind of situation, the most important thing is to win your matches. In some matches, we really should have taken more points, but I believe in the team that we can save ourselves. We can stay up if we give our all and do everything on the pitch.”
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For Omeruo, who has since moved on from Leganes, Neyou’s words serve as a powerful endorsement of his enduring quality and untapped potential.
While the Super Eagles star has continued to ply his trade at club level after his return to Turkey with former club Kasimpasa, the suggestion that he could have graced a bigger stage adds a new layer to his already impressive career narrative.
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Meanwhile, Leganes’ fight for survival hangs in the balance, with Neyou’s call for unity and effort echoing as a rallying cry for the club’s final push to remain in LaLiga.
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