John Obi-Mikel, a Super Eagles legend, has praised the fantastic performances of his fellow Nigerian player, Ola Aina, at Nottingham Forest this season. Aina, who has been in superb form, has played a pivotal role in Forest’s strong Premier League campaign. Sitting in second place in the table, Forest has surpassed top clubs, including Arsenal and Chelsea.

Aina has proven to be one of the standout players for the club, featuring in every league match this season. The Nigerian fullback has impressed with his defending against some of the Premier League’s best, including Liverpool’s Luis Díaz and Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho. Aina has also contributed offensively, scoring two goals so far, matching his career-best tally for a season.

Mikel, who played alongside Aina during their time at Chelsea, expressed his admiration for Aina’s development, noting the defender’s solid performances and offensive contributions. “He’s defending well, putting in lots of crosses, and chipping in with goals, which is fantastic to see,” Mikel said on The Obi One Podcast.

Aina’s performances have earned him recognition, including a spot in Jamie Carragher’s Team of the Season for the first half of the campaign. Mikel, reflecting on Aina’s growth since his move to Forest, shared that he’s not surprised by his success, given Aina’s quality at Chelsea.

The 28-year-old’s performances have also attracted the interest of Manchester City, and with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, discussions are underway between Aina and Nottingham Forest regarding a potential extension.