Nana Ofori-Twumasi
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| Nana Ofori-Twumasi | |
| |
| Full Name | Seth Nana Ofori-Twumasi |
| Date of Birth | 15 May 1990 |
| Place of Birth | Accra, Ghana |
| Position | Defender |
| Chelsea career | 2002 - 2010 |
| Debut | n/a |
| Games (goals) | n/a |
| Other clubs | Dagenham & Redbridge (loan) |
Nana Ofori-Twumasi (born 15 May 1990) is a defender who formerly played for Chelsea's Reserve and Youth teams.
Contents |
Pre-Chelsea career
Nana hailed from the same area of London and same school as former Blues academy product Carlton Cole and joined the junior ranks as a youngster.
Chelsea career
When he first joined Chelsea he was mainly a right winger, but over time and into the Under-16s and 18s he developed into a right-back and occasional centre-back. Primarily, he’s an outstanding physical specimen. He is strong and well-built, and very few get the better of him in a one on one battle. He’s also a natural leader, taking the captain’s armband as a first-year scholar and continuing with it regularly in his second season.
His affable and outspoken (although rarely eloquent) nature makes him one of the most popular players in his youth squads, and has also endeared him to the senior Chelsea players, never more apparent than when he was chosen to travel with senior players back to Ghana for the Right to Play charity tour. The visit rekindled dreams and chances of playing for the land of his birth, but for now his future rests with England.
At right-back, he gets forward very well, as you’d expect from a former winger. He doesn’t get beaten often down the line and doesn’t dive into tackles – most of the time he’ll be able to stay on his feet and outmuscle a player. He displays discipline and reads the game well, which helps him when he plays at centre-back, when his physical skills and strong heading help him. He has a particular favourite move of dribbling inside away from a winger before turning in a short one metre circle back outside and beating his man for sheer agility before taking off up the touchline.
As time has gone on in Reserve football he has shown a short temper and frustration at team-mates and opponents, suggesting a potential lack of professionalism, but that can be ironed out with maturity. A loan spell at Dagenham & Redbridge in late 2009 saw some mixed performances, with some questionable defending alongside two goals. His six-week stay was not extended upon expiration.
International
Despite being born and raised in Ghana (where he lived until the age of ten), Nana has represented England at every level up to Under-20. His career highlight to date must be being part of the England Under-17 squad that traveled to Korea for the Youth World Cup. He started every match and was most impressive in England’s win over Brazil. In 2009 he was one of few England players who came away from the Under-20 World Cup in Egypt with any credit. He has however not yet committed himself to England, and is entirely open to representing Ghana, for whom he has resisted previous overtures.
Career Statistics
Youth Team Football
| Season | Club | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | ||
| 2005-06 | Chelsea | 5 | 0 |
| 2006-07 | Chelsea | 22 | 1 |
| 2007-08 | Chelsea | 21 | 1 |
Reserve Team Football
| Season | Club | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | ||
| 2007-08 | Chelsea | 18 | 0 |
| 2008-09 | Chelsea | 16 | 0 |
| 2009-10 | Chelsea | 10 | 0 |
Senior Club Football
| Season | Club | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| 2008-09 | Chelsea | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009-10 | Chelsea | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009-10 | Dagenham & Redbridge (loan) | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 |
Career honours
- 2007 UEFA U-17 European Championship (Runner-Up)
Post Chelsea career
Nana's contract expired at the end of the 2009-10 season and on July 1st 2010 he signed a three-year contract with Peterborough United. He struggled to make the grade at London Road, however, and joined Northampton Town on loan towards the end of 2010-11, once again joining up with manager Gary Johnson. He signed for the club permanently in June 2011 but suffered a serious knee injury which sidelined him for the entire campaign.
