Lack of playing time forced me out of Watford – Ighalo

Former Watford and Super Eagles of Nigeria striker, Odion Ighalo says he left the premier league outfit in order to get more first-team football.

Ighalo left Watford in January to join Chinese Super League side Changchun Yatai after complaining about not playing regularly for the Hertfordshire club.

The 28-year-old Nigeria striker has now found his feet in the Chinese Super League after netting 15 goals in his first season in the CSL.

The Changchun Yatai forward has advised Arsenal midfielder, Jack Wilshere to leave Arsenal if he desires a place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Speaking in Premier League Daily, the Nigerian advised Wilshere to leave Arsenal if he wants to play at the World Cup.

“For him to get more games and to be ready for the World Cup, he has to play more so if he’s still there and he’s not getting the opportunities to play, I’d advise him to leave,” said Ighalo.

Wilshere has played in just two league games so far this season and was left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad because of a lack of playing time.

“He’s a very good player, he can’t be there sitting on the bench. If he cannot play at Arsenal, he can play at any other big team in the Premier League.”

On his own departure from the Premier League, Ighalo said that he would have liked to have stayed and that he still thinks highly of his former employers.

“Words cannot express it because I had a really great time at Watford,” he said. “The fans are still close to my heart. Everything around the club is just great.

“It was a pity I had to leave but I had to do what was best for me.”