Green is for go for rising star Ferdi

The midfielder will enjoy a pre-match cuppa ahead of the development squad’s friendly against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Wednesday (7pm kick-off).

Okoh has become something of a connoisseur of green tea which is touted to be one of the healthiest beverages people can drink.

However, recently, the 18-year-old had a painful experience when he added his name to the list of the more unusual injuries suffered by footballers.

Like Queen of the South’s Sam Henderson getting hit by a runaway cow, Marco Asensio missing a Champions League game for Real Madrid after shaving an infected pimple and former Chelsea star Dave Beasant severing tendons after dropping a jar of salad cream on his foot, Okoh was left ruing his luck.

He takes up the story for afcb.co.uk: “I was making a cup of tea one morning and spilt the hot water on my leg.

“It burned the inside of my groin and was very sore. I couldn’t walk properly and couldn’t sleep very well. I was out for about a week.

“It’s funny when I look back on it now but I wasn’t laughing at the time.

“I just love my tea and can’t give it up. I have to have it every morning and before every game, even night games. I have at least three cups a day. I’m always sipping tea and the lads all laugh at me!

“It’s a ritual for me. I feel more alert and a lot sharper.”

Okoh graduated to the development squad having been a key figure in the under-18s as they were crowned EFL Youth Alliance champions and reached the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup last season.

Named man of the match in the fourth-round victory over QPR at Vitality Stadium, he joined the Cherries in 2020 having spent time in the academies at West Ham and Tottenham.

Okoh, who moved from the family home in Dagenham at the start of his two-year scholarship, added: “I was at West Ham from under-11s to under-14s and then went to Tottenham but didn’t get offered anything.

“It’s disappointing when you get rejected because you want success at any club. It’s hard to take at such a young age because you might think you’re not good enough.

“But you always need to remember that someone else might think differently and see your potential. That’s what happened with me here. They liked what they saw and offered me a scholarship.

“Moving down here was a big change for me and the first time I had been away from home. When you are not with your family, you have to be more independent.

“I do stuff on my own and it’s forced me to grow up quickly and to look out for myself more.

“I’ve also learned how to cook because sometimes they let us cook in the digs. It’s a good life skill to have.

“I enjoyed my two-year scholarship working under Alan Connell. As a first year, I played quite a lot and had a good amount of game time.

“In my second year, I played pretty much every game. I felt I was influential in winning the league and during the FA Youth Cup run.

“When it gets to the time when they decide who’s being kept on, it’s a nervous time waiting to find our whether or not they want to keep you on.

“For me, I had the previous disappointments in the back of my head but I was fortunate enough to be kept on and I’m enjoying my time in the development squad.”

Okoh was named in the first-team squad for the Carabao Cup penalty shootout triumph at Norwich in August and started the Premier League Cup victory over Derby at Vitality Stadium last month.

He is also on a work experience loan with Truro City and has played his part in the White Tigers starting their Southern League campaign with an 11-match unbeaten run.

The development squad continue their preparations for their next Premier League Cup clash against QPR next month when they face what is expected to be a strong Luton team on Wednesday.

He added: “I’m fortunate to see different sides of the game playing with the development squad and training with the first team here and playing for Truro in the Southern League. I’m getting some good game time.

“The tempo is a lot higher in the development squad and you have to think quicker. You have to be on it because it’s so quick. If you’re off it, you get punished.

“When you’re with the first team, it’s another step, another level. If you’re not on it, you will get found out. You want to make a good impression so you have to make sure you’re on it every session.

“All the first-team players help you but Jeff Lerma gives me a lot of advice because we play in a similar position. I try to take on what they tell me and take it into games.

“At Truro, it’s all about getting three points. There are more long balls and second balls and it’s all about taking opportunities because there is a lot on the line.

“I’m learning a lot from everybody there. They are guiding me and giving me advice about how to adjust because I’m not used to it. I’m taking everything on board and it’s going well.

“The Premier League Cup is our main aim this season. It gives us an opportunity to showcase ourselves. Hopefully, we can go through and get as far as possible.

“The Luton game should replicate what we’re going to face in the Premier League Cup. It’s a good place to play and it’s a night game.

“They will be good opposition and could have some first-teamers playing which would be great because it will make it more challenging. We’re looking forward to it.”

Click here for details on how to buy tickets for the friendly against Luton Town.

Final picture courtesy of Cameron Weldon at Truro City FC.