Chelsea man and Nigerian international Kenneth Omeruo 'really enjoyed' his first taste of Boro action, his first competitive match in English football
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Kenneth Omeruo knew exactly what to expect when he made his Boro debut at Doncaster.
The Chelsea man has been watching the close-quarter combat of the Championship from the stands for the best part of a month after arriving on loan early in January.
Now he has had a taste of the action - and he loves it.
“I really enjoyed it,” he said, describing his baptism in the goalless grind at Doncaster - his first competitive match in English football.
“It is much better playing in games than watching.
“The game was very hard work and a real battle but I knew what to expect. And I don’t mind a bit of a fight.
“I have watched a lot of Boro games over the past few weeks and I know that this is a very, very tough division.
“Every team fights from the start to the finish and there is no let up in any game.
“It is a real physical battle for 90 minutes and more and you can’t switch off for a second.
“So when I was picked for the team I knew that I had to switch to that same mentality straight away.
“And I think I did that. It was a tough game but I think I played well. I love to play. I was just disappointed that my first game was not a win.”
The Nigerian international, 20, quickly found his feet to put in a solid show at right- back but is more often used as a centre-back.
He won the African Cup of Nations last summer at the heart of the defence and last season won rave reviews in Holland with ADO Den Haag where he also earned fame as a future quiz question after scoring, getting an own goal and being sent off in the same match.
But for all his promise and pedigree - he looks set for the World Cup finals in Brazil in the summer - he has had to wait for his chance at Boro.
Coach Aitor Karanka made it clear he had to train his way into the team mindset and earn a shirt - and Omeruo is happy with that.
“It hasn’t been frustrating to wait,” he said. “Not really.
“The manager explained when I first came that I would not play straight away and I understood his reasons.
“He wanted me to train and work with the squad and understand the philosophy and approach.
“But that is fine. It is the same at Chelsea.
“You have to listen to the manager and how he wants you to play and work and wait for your chance.”
Having been given that opportunity, though, Omeruo has set out his stall.
“I am glad to be up and running and I aim to stay in the team now, definitely,” he said.
“My aim is to keep progressing, to make sure each game I play is better than the last one.
“I have to show what I can do and be the best I can for Middlesbrough and for the manager.”
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