Danny Murphy lauds Jay-Jay Okocha’s ‘Free Spirit’ and skill

Former England midfielder Danny Murphy has praised the legendary Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, describing him as a “free spirit” and a player who brought exceptional skill and flair to the pitch.

Murphy, who faced Okocha during his playing career, reflected on the Nigerian midfielder’s mesmerizing performances with Bolton Wanderers in the early 2000s.

On TalkSport, Murphy recalled two standout moments from a match against Okocha. One was a memorable nutmeg that left him in awe, and the other was Okocha’s audacious scoop over his head from a tight corner, demonstrating his extraordinary technical ability.

“He always played with a smile on his face,” Murphy said. “That freedom to try things that I wouldn’t want to try in a game. And he could shoot. Just a free spirit. An absolute talent in skill, playing with that creativity.”

Okocha, who joined Bolton in 2002 on a free transfer, quickly became a cult hero at the club. Over four seasons, he scored 18 goals and provided 10 assists in 145 appearances, helping Bolton secure a place in the UEFA Cup and reach the League Cup final in 2004.