Ramsey: Kenya has rich talent

Arsenal's Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey runs with the ball against Olympiakos FC during the UEFA Champions League Group B.on October 3, 2012. FILE

What you need to know:

  • “Of course I know Wanyama, not personally though, but his name has been all over the British press. He is one player I have read many clubs in England are chasing and I have no doubt he has great talent if top clubs in England are interested in him,” said the Arsenal midfielder. “For a Kenyan to win the Young Player of the Year award in Scotland, it means a lot. It shows that there is great potential in this country.”

Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey has said Kenya has gifted footballers, if Victor Wanyama’s exploits with Scottish giants Celtic FC is anything to go by.

The Gunners midfielder, who has been on holiday in Kenya, believes the country can produce great footballers if youth talent is tapped.

He said he has heard much about Kenya, mostly the country’s rich wildlife and tourism potential.

Big name

“But I have also heard about a Kenyan footballer called (Victor) Wanyama who scored against Barcelona in the Champions League,” he told sports journalists in Nairobi Friday.

“Of course I know Wanyama, not personally though, but his name has been all over the British press. He is one player I have read many clubs in England are chasing and I have no doubt he has great talent if top clubs in England are interested in him,” said the Arsenal midfielder. “For a Kenyan to win the Young Player of the Year award in Scotland, it means a lot. It shows that there is great potential in this country.”

Wanyama has also been linked with a move to Arsenal, but would Ramsey welcome him at Arsenal? “Most definitely, if he is a great player as I hear, I would love to. I now love Kenya and would love to have a Kenyan in our team,” he said. Ramsey, who joined Arsenal over four years ago, says the biggest African player he has met is Didier Drogba who he says is a great inspiration to many African football.

“There is also Emmanuel Eboue who was my team mate, quite an interesting chap. We have Gervinho currently.If you look at all of them and Man City’s Yaya Toure, you realise Africa has great talent.He said he keenly follows African football, especially the Nations Cup.