Former Super Eagles and Brentford defender Sam Sodje during an exclusive interview with Footy-Africa has defended Akor Adams’ decision to join Italian club Venezia during the summer transfer window.
Adams completed a move worth up to €23 million earlier in the summer from Spanish side Sevilla, who were keen to sell as they looked to comply with financial regulations..
The transfer raised eyebrows among many Nigerian football fans given Sevilla’s history and considering that Venezia had only just earned promotion to Serie A.
When asked for his opinion on the move, Sodje used Frank Onyeka’s move from Brentford to Coventry City earlier in the year as an example of why supporters should not always judge a player’s decision on the size or status of the club involved.
“That was a surprise move, and it got Nigerian fans talking”, the former Leeds United defender exclusively told Footy-Africa.
Akor Adams on the verge of Venezia move – Full transfer breakdown
“I always speak from the point of view of knowing how these things work. I said something similar about Frank Onyeka moving from Brentford to Coventry, and people didn’t understand what I meant at the time, but in terms of fan base, Coventry was actually the bigger club, and the project he joined was big. Now they’re back in the Premier League, and so is he.”
Sodje also revealed that while the move may not look like a major step forward at the moment, the project at the club could eventually prove to be very successful.
The former Super Eagles defender believes that Adams may have been convinced by that and pointed to Como as an example of how quickly a club’s ambitions and status can change.
“With Akor Adams, I don’t fully understand the move to Italy, but it depends on who wanted him and what the project looked like — we don’t know the package involved. Look at Como in Italy — whoever signed for them years ago wouldn’t have known the budget and direction the club has now. So maybe what was sold to Adams was big enough to convince him.”
“From a fan’s perspective, we want to see him at bigger clubs, but we never really know what project gets pitched to a player”, Sodje concluded.
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Adams has made a positive start to life at Venezia, scoring twice and registering one assist in three appearances across all competitions.
The Super Eagles forward will now be hoping to maintain that form and play a key role as Venezia look to secure their long term status in Serie A and enjoy a successful campaign in the Italian top flight.
