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'There's no better finisher than Yakubu' - Blackburn boss Steve Kean hails striker after return from suspension
The Scot praised the Nigerian international's finishing after his goal helped Rovers out of the relegation zone in a win over fellow strugglers QPR
13 Feb 2012 09:20:00
By Arthur Virgo
Getty Images
Blackburn manager Steve Kean has hailed striker Yakubu as a bargain signing the after the forward scored the opener in a crucial win over relegation rivals QPR.
The victory meant Blackburn moved level with Mark Hughes' side on 21 points, with both teams above the relegation zone on goal difference alone.
The Nigerian returned from suspension to set Rovers on the way to victory after deftly controlling a flick-on from dominant midfielder Steven N’Zonzi and he later hit the bar with an audacious chip from outside the box.
And Kean on to praise his forward, who has scored 13 goals this season after signing for £1.5 million from Everton in the summer, comparing him to prolific Newcastle striker Demba Ba.
"For me, there's been the Yak and Demba Ba. If you look what those two cost in comparison to some of the other strikers, then I think they have both been bargains,” he told the Guardian.
The predatory forward maintained a consistent Premier League goal scoring record for Portsmouth and Middlesbrough before signing for David Moyes’ side for £11.25 million in 2007.
However, he spent the last six months of his contract with the Toffees on loan to Championship side Leicester after enduring criticism over his work rate.
Despite the disappointing end to his time on Merseyside, Yakubu has enjoyed a renaissance with the Rovers and his boss could not praise his finishing ability highly enough.
He added: "What we like about him is when you analyse his strikes, the goalkeepers can't get set because he takes them so early. He doesn't have a lot of back-lift and before goalies know it, it's in.
“It's not that he does that now and again, that's his technique and if you get quality service into him there's not a better finisher."
Kean also revealed that he fielded enquiries over the striker in January from some "very, very big clubs" but insisted there was "absolutely no chance" of him moving on.
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The victory meant Blackburn moved level with Mark Hughes' side on 21 points, with both teams above the relegation zone on goal difference alone.
The Nigerian returned from suspension to set Rovers on the way to victory after deftly controlling a flick-on from dominant midfielder Steven N’Zonzi and he later hit the bar with an audacious chip from outside the box.
And Kean on to praise his forward, who has scored 13 goals this season after signing for £1.5 million from Everton in the summer, comparing him to prolific Newcastle striker Demba Ba.
"For me, there's been the Yak and Demba Ba. If you look what those two cost in comparison to some of the other strikers, then I think they have both been bargains,” he told the Guardian.
The predatory forward maintained a consistent Premier League goal scoring record for Portsmouth and Middlesbrough before signing for David Moyes’ side for £11.25 million in 2007.
However, he spent the last six months of his contract with the Toffees on loan to Championship side Leicester after enduring criticism over his work rate.
Despite the disappointing end to his time on Merseyside, Yakubu has enjoyed a renaissance with the Rovers and his boss could not praise his finishing ability highly enough.
He added: "What we like about him is when you analyse his strikes, the goalkeepers can't get set because he takes them so early. He doesn't have a lot of back-lift and before goalies know it, it's in.
“It's not that he does that now and again, that's his technique and if you get quality service into him there's not a better finisher."
Kean also revealed that he fielded enquiries over the striker in January from some "very, very big clubs" but insisted there was "absolutely no chance" of him moving on.
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|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
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