Ola Aina calls on colleagues playing in the English Championship to follow his footsteps and hit Italy

SUPER Eagles fullback Ola Aina has hit out at Nigerian players reluctant to leave the comfort zone of the English lower leagues saying that his game has improved tremendously since he moved from the Championship to Italy's Torino.

Officially still a Chelsea player, Aina, 22, was sent out on loan last season to English Championship side Hull City but at the beginning of the current campaign moved to Italy. At the start of the season, he shunned offers from a host of other Championship teams to join Torino on loan, and has now established himself as a regular in the Serie A side's starting line-up.

Earlier this week, Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr invited Aina to camp ahead of the forthcoming African Nations Cup qualifier against Libya. Happy with his current form and confident he will do well, Aina said he is enjoying his time in Italy and rates the level of play there a lot higher than what he faced when he played for English Championship teams in the past.

Aina has cemented a spot in Torino's starting line-up despite the fact that language is still part of the barriers he is facing in Italy. He pointed out that on the pitch, the demands of picking up points against quality teams and opposition have also improved his game.

 “I’ve been enjoying it so far and I’m enjoying training, the games and all the challenges as there are some top sides here. I’m settling in just fine and the difference is a lot as the level is a lot higher and the concentration and tactical side of things are a lot higher than the Championship.

“Right now, the squad are just focusing on each other and to take each match as it comes. We want to play good football and get as much points as possible and win games, so if we can focus on this, then who knows,” Aina added.