SUCCESS on a plate for Emmanuel Adegboyega was once presenting the main course with artistic merit in the restaurant where he was chef's assistant.
Now he's dish of the day at Walsall, where the 6ft-3in onloan defender's form has helped to catapult the Saddlers into the League Two promotion race.
Adegboyega, 20, is the EFL Young Player of the Month for February after scoring three goals in a five-match winning streak for Mat Sadler's resurgent side.
The Bescot Stadium, so close to the M6 carriageway it's almost on the hard shoulder, would be easy to miss at 70mph - except traffic rarely accelerates beyond a crawl on one of Britain's busiest traffic arteries.
But Adegboyega, raised in Ireland but purring in the Saddlers' central-defence on loan from Norwich, is yet more proof that English football's strength is its professional bedrock.
While Premier League clubs haggle over a fair solidarity payment to the EFL - a disgraceful showcase for blinkered avarice - a salient truth remains.
Denne historien er fra March 16, 2024-utgaven av Daily Mirror UK.
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Denne historien er fra March 16, 2024-utgaven av Daily Mirror UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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GRACE THE ACE FOR SARINA
International Women's Friendlies GRACE CLINTON took just eight minutes to seal England's victory at Bramall Lane.
Germany in way of Car drive
LEE CARSLEY'S England Under-21 team will face Germany, Czechia and Slovenia as they bid to successfully defend their Euro U21 crown in Slovakia next summer.
Versatile Amad to get new contract
RUBEN AMORIM says Manchester United will hand Amad a new contract after hailing him as one of the players who has impressed him the most.
We've beaten Euro & Prem champs...now for the tough games!
SLOT: AFTER TWO WINS LIKE THIS IT IS OFTEN DIFFICULT TO SHOW UP AGAIN & AGAIN AWAY
CHANGING OF GAARD PUTS SAKA ON PARADE
WHEN Mikel Arteta named his first Arsenal starting XI, he stuck Bukayo Saka at left-back.
AMORGRIM WARNING
After his bright start, United boss says he knows that 'the storm is coming... and we will be found out in some games'
END OF AN ERA, PEP? 'COULD BE'
Guardiola fears City dominance is ending
VANTASTIC
Ruud reian's off to flyer.. thanks to Vardy and VAR
GIANT STEPS
Radlinski says Wigan will continue worldwide quest of tapping into other major sporting organisations following New York trip
Wellington hoot
AS ENGLAND RETURN TO SCENE OF DEFEAT IN ONE OF THE GREAT TESTS... BLACK CAPS HERO WAGNER RELIVES 'BEST FEELING EVER'
