I can learn from Yakubu says Everton's Victor Anichebe

Apr 9 2008 by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON’S Victor Anichebe is hoping to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Ayegbeni Yakubu and establish himself as one of the Premier League’s top strikers.

Yakubu has been a big scoring hit at Goodison since his club record £11.25million move from Middlesbrough at the start of the season and is just one goal away from becoming the first Everton player to net 20 times in a single campaign in the Premier League era.

Anichebe, 19, who is a graduate of Everton’s Youth Academy, was born in Lagos but raised in Merseyside and he feels that the presence of the fellow Nigerian frontman has enabled his own game to progress this season.

He said: “Yak has helped me out a lot on the pitch because I watch the way he plays and I can relate to it.

“He’s a great addition to the squad, he’s scored a lot of goals and I just watch him all the time and learn things from him because he’s a top, top striker.”

Anichebe revealed that he is keen to emulate the 25-year-old striker’s goalscoring prowess.

He said: “I feel I need to get more goals in the Premier League but that will come because I’ve still got time and I’ve got people around me that are going to help me.”

Anichebe made his international bow earlier this month as he represented Nigeria’s Under-23 side in an Olympic qualifier against South Africa, scoring the final goal in a 3-0 victory after coming off the bench.

As one of a trio of Nigerian team-mates at Goodison, Anichebe is pleased to have learnt more about his homeland from senior Super Eagles squad members Yakubu and Joseph Yobo.

He said: “Since Yak has come here I have learnt a lot. I’ve also learnt a lot of Joe, because they tell me about things that I don’t know about Nigeria so it’s helped me out a lot.

“The Yak hasn’t even been here for a season yet and me and him have become good friends.”