Daniel Kanu interview: Walsall’s on-loan Cha...

Daniel Kanu had his breakout season in 2023/24.

He scored two in his first 4 video games for Charlton in Sky Wager League One, then went on mortgage to Southend – the place he scored 4 objectives in a 5-0 win over Solihull Moors on his full debut – and, lower than a month later, made his senior bow for Sierra Leone in a World Cup qualifier in opposition to Egypt and Mohamed Salah.

The ahead returned to The Valley in November 2023, after the season’s conclusion, was named the membership’s Younger Participant of the Yr for the second time, with six objectives in 30 league appearances.

“He’s such an awesome child. His work-rate and what he does – really, really fantastic,” was Addicks boss Nathan Jones’ evaluation.

Ankle ligament accidents, sadly, restricted him to solely 5 league begins in 2024/25, but whereas there’s frustration, Kanu says being a part of the – finally profitable – push for promotion was “life-changing”.

And never simply in the way in which of absorbing the dear expertise that got here with it. A mortgage transfer to Walsall final summer season adopted.

“Walsall had been eager on me for some time and spoke to me fairly early in pre-season to precise their curiosity. I had a number of conferences and the conferences I had have been very, superb,” the 21-year-old explains.

“They highlighted precisely the place they wished me taking part in and so they highlighted my strengths and the way they’d assist me develop as a participant, which was actually necessary. That actually attracted me and it attracted my mother and father and all these round me.

“I felt the belief earlier than I even stated sure to coming to the membership. That is simply how he [Mat Sadler] and Darren Byfield got here throughout. They have been very eager to work with me and assist me develop as a participant. They understood the form of participant I’m and the way nicely I would slot in to the group.”

Within the Midlands, Kanu has proven what he’s really able to. His present return stands at 16 objectives and three assists in 32 appearances in all competitions.

This, he says, is his “announcement yr”.

“I really feel like that is the primary time I have been in a position to present all areas of my sport and the enhancements which have been made in all areas of my sport. I have been actually in a position to marry up numerous issues that I have been engaged on since I used to be 18, 19.

“I am grateful I trusted them [Sadler and Byfield] as now we’re seeing numerous fruit. I need to carry on giving again to them as a result of they confirmed numerous religion and numerous belief in me actually, actually early. Every thing they stated was going to occur has occurred, actually.

“They’ve helped me enhance as an individual, as a participant and I’ve gained numerous expertise, performed numerous minutes and I have been in a position to give again to them with a number of objectives.

“I got down to get 10 earlier than Christmas, 10 after Christmas and I bought 11 earlier than Christmas. That was what I used to be aiming for and to be the place I’m now in mid-February is insane! So, sure, I’ve exceeded my very own objectives – we will need to evaluation them once more and give you one thing that may give me an additional problem.”

With the way in which he repeatedly brings up studying and enchancment, it’s apparent Kanu is making an attempt to get as a lot out of this expertise as he presumably can.

The chance to work with a raft of skilled gamers within the Saddlers squad has definitely helped.

“Each time a sport finishes, Jamille Matt is at all times the primary one which comes as much as me and says: ‘Daniel, perhaps you possibly can have accomplished this or that. This was good, however…’.

“Albert Adomah has been very encouraging and speaks to me lots. I am up in opposition to Aden Flint most days in coaching and that is not simple! And Kemar Roofe – when he was right here – was very, very useful.

“I have been in a position to take what they’ve stated and attempt to apply it to myself in the best method. I do know if somebody shouts at me, they’re simply making an attempt to encourage me. I am simply taking these items on board. I am joyful to take any criticism as a result of it is all about making myself a greater participant.

“If I can go to mattress saying: ‘I learnt this immediately and that is going to assist me be higher tomorrow’, then that is what issues, particularly at my age.”

He is aware of he shall be a significantly better participant in consequence.

“I spoke with among the coaches lately and we have been reflecting on the quantity I improved between August and January – and the very fact I’ve now one other two months to enhance once more is wonderful.

“The fantastic thing about it’s that I get to work on the coaching floor after which get to check issues on a matchday and see in the event that they work and if they’re issues I ought to be doing or realizing when to do them.”

Regardless of Kanu’s objectives, Walsall – who have been high from late September to only after Christmas – are at risk of lacking out on promotion for the second season in succession.

Monday’s dwelling defeat to MK Dons prolonged their winless run to seven and, since December 29, it’s now one league win in 9. The hole to the play-off locations stands at three factors, regarding, however in no way insurmountable.

A win in Saturday’s sport in opposition to Shrewsbury – which is stay on Sky Sports activities+ at 12.30pm – can be big.

What must occur for the Saddlers to get proper again into the play-off combine?

“Truthfully, I simply assume it is simply staying related,” says Kanu.

“On the finish of the day, you are going to have unhealthy patches, and I say that with the little expertise I’ve of final season after I was at Charlton the place there was a interval the place it felt prefer it was doom and gloom. You get one outcome after which earlier than you already know it, the entire season modifications like that.

“I really feel like crucial factor for us is to only not lose coronary heart – and we can’t lose coronary heart.

“One other fantastic factor I’ve loved is being round such good those that love soccer the way in which I like soccer and love working onerous the way in which I like working onerous. When you’ve got that kind of group you already know the outcome you need is simply across the nook.

“We’re not going to lose religion or lose coronary heart. We’re simply going to proceed doing what we have been doing. That is already bought us to the place we’re as a result of we’re in an awesome place to do one thing this season. It is nearly staying related in the whole lot that we do.”

If that is Kanu’s announcement yr, the message is coming by way of loud and clear.

Watch the Sky Wager League Two match between Shrewsbury vs Walsall stay on Sky Sports activities+ on Saturday; kick-off 12.30pm.