From my point of view the most improved player in the Premier League this season has been Victor Anichebe – the bullish man-boy, who has come of age this season with some barnstorming displays in the Premier League and some astounding UEFA cup cameos.

Born in Lagos, bred in the UK, and courted by Nigeria all season long because of his talents, Anichebe’s debut came against Chelsea in 2006 in the FA Cup. In the league however, Anichebe struggled to force his way into contention, with many Evertonians viewing him as the straight stooge to James Vaughan’s creative genius.

In the 2007-08 pre-season the young Anichebe eclipsed both Andy Johnson and James Beattie, scoring more than both of them, but the big money arrival of Yakubu shunted young Vic down the pecking order.

'At just 19, Anichebe cuts a striking figure with an imposing physique'


During the business end of this season the 19-year-old will be without his partner in crime, James Vaughan, regarded by many as a better prospect. The reality of the situation is that both Vaughan and Anichebe are very different players, team-mates that complement each other well. Whereas Vaughan gives guile and breakneck speed, Anichebe has power in abundance.

Family traits often skip generations, and Everton are no different, with Vic looking like an atavistic Joe Royle throwback – someone who has strength in abundance, is excellent at holding up the ball and, given time, could become a totemic figure.

This season Anichebe has stepped up his game – applying some finishing touches to European games, scoring for the fourth time as a substitute coming off the bench against SK Brann. Yakubu has taken to the young striker too, giving him some striking tips and even claiming that his protégé can become “the top scorer in the Premier League one day” - praise indeed from one of the Premier League’s top scorers.

At just 19, Anichebe cuts a striking figure with an imposing physique, but he is very unusual – he is already physically ready for the Premier League, but his footballing brain needs to catch up with his body. He is, in many respects, Goodison’s version of Tom Hanks’ character in Big.

With Vaughan injured there are now three fit senior strikers at Everton - Andy Johnson, Yakubu, and Anichebe, I think that the young Nigerian will greet this newfound responsibility with an even bigger surge in performance. Victor has become so adept at finishing teams of at the death in Europe, he comes in as “The Closer”, requiring only enough time to provide the élan of the winning goal, and to pronounce the opposition’s threat dead.

In our vital UEFA Cup game Anichebe did just that. Playing with a broken hand, he charged clear of the Metalist defence, pulling Everton’s socks up with the crucial winning goal and dragging his team-mates with him to the UEFA group stages.

This was undoubtedly one of the biggest performances of the season, from one of Everton’s biggest hopes. Anichebe started the next two Premier League games but failed to score, perhaps – at this stage – he is more suited to the adrenaline rush of being unleashed on unknowing defences, and running flagging players ragged.

Nevertheless, Anichebe is operating on a fast track progression, moving from someone on the periphery to a more and more central role, definitely the Premier League’s most improved player. At this rate Yakubu’s prophecy has every chance of coming true.