Ryan Alebiosu sets out goal for next season after impressive start at Rovers

Ryan Alebiosu’s first season at Blackburn Rovers couldn’t have gone much better - but the right-back reckons there is one area where he can still improve.

Alebiosu arrived from Belgian club KV Kortrijk last summer and went on to become an important member of the squad, starting 37 games in the Championship.

The 24-year-old’s only spell out of the side was when he was away on international duty, representing Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Alebiosu chipped in with one goal and five assists in the league but wants to increase his output in the final third next term.

“I feel like with everything that has gone on this season, there is a lot that I’ve learned as a player,” he told RoversTV.

“There are things that happened within the season, especially when we had the downward spiral, where I’ve learned as a player how to come out of it.

“I think for next season, all the stuff we’ve learned, we can bring it into next season and kick on, improving my mental side and everything.

“Personally, (I want) more goals and assists. I started to get more of that towards the end but I want to get goals from the start. I feel like in the final third, I can be better.”

It was the defender’s first taste of Championship football, having spent the previous couple of years in Belgium.

Alebiosu initially came through Arsenal’s youth ranks before heading on loan to Crewe Alexandra and Kilmarnock.

“Obviously, difficult moments as a team but personally it has been a great season back in England,” he added. “Physical, tough, but we got through it and I have enjoyed every minute of it.

“I had goals when I first came, to show everyone what I can do and implement what I can bring to the team. I feel like there is still a lot more to come but I have achieved a lot so far, it has been great.

“(We take) every day as it comes, every game as it comes, it is just about building. The team obviously helped me a lot to get in my element quickly and progress.

“It has been a great experience, a great challenge. It’s a physical league, demanding, and to come here and play every game, it is unbelievable."

It often takes new signings a bit of time to adjust to the demands of Championship football, but Alebiosu made a seamless transition and hit the ground running.

The full-back always believed that he could make his mark back in England but admitted it was a bit of a surprise how quickly he adapted.

“I always knew I could show myself and bring something to the table,” he said. “The way I have adapted this quickly is a bit of a surprise to me, but I wanted to bring the stuff I am doing off the pitch onto the pitch.

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“I have learned a lot. As a player maturing, there are moments before I didn’t really understand that now I’m getting to understand.

“The physical demand of the league is tough, the technicality of the league is very demanding as well. There is a lot to learn.

“The battle we had as a team this season, to get through that, it adds more to your game mentally and physically.”