Jordan, son of Pele

Nomen est omen, says the Latin proverb. The name is the sign. And when your name is Jordan and your father is Pele, there are good chances you’re going to know your way with a ball. He may not be the world’s best-ever basketball player nor he’s a Brazilian legend, but Jordan Ayew has certainly gone a long way chasing a football.

Abedi Ayew was nicknamed Pele for his footballing ability. And it wasn’t too much of an exaggeration either. He was the first African player to make a real impact in Europe by winning the Champions League in 1993. A skilful playmaker, Abedi was made African Player of the Year in three successive years, from 1991 to 1993. Along with his on-the-pitch success, he fathered three sons who would go on to represent Ghana – Andre, Rahim and Jordan.

Abedi Pele faces AC Milan legend Franco Baresi in 1993 (©AFP)

Jordan Pierre Ayew was born 29 years ago in Marseille, at the time his father was starring for l’OM. He was never pressured into playing football, but the game is in his blood and it showed. He was playing for his Dad’s club in Ghana just to have something to do, but he was spotted by scouts during a tournament in Europe. Even though he was only 13 at the time, Jordan was used to playing against older boys and was showing a lot of promise.

“My dad had a team in Ghana and we played in a tournament in Switzerland. Some scouts were there and I had the opportunity to have a trial with three teams in France. I went to Marseille and was successful, but I had to be 15 to get into the academy, and I was only 13 because I was always playing with the older people in Ghana. There was another team that wanted to take me anyway, but Marseille found a way to put me in, and that’s where everything started.”

Call it destiny if you will, but Jordan and his brother Andre were to become players at Marseille, the club that marked their father’s career. Jordan’s five seasons at Stade Velodrome made him a respectable young player in his own right – and not just someone’s son or brother.

Upon his ascension to first team football in the south of France, there were plenty of highs. Ayew’s professional debut would see him score off the bench to help clinch a 2-1 win against Lorient in December 2009, a campaign that ended with the Ligue 1 title and the first of three League Cup successes during his time with l’OM, and featured 14 times in the Champions League where the ghost of Pele’s successful 1993 side constantly loomed large.

Jordan got his first taste of Premier League football in 2015 with a move to Aston Villa, but it wasn’t a great one as the Birmingham side suffered relegation. After a season playing in the Championship with the Villains, Ayew was picked up by Swansea City. In the four seasons in England, Jordan wouldn’t find the net on a regular basis, failing to reach double digits any of the campaigns.

It seems that he finally found his home in England with Crystal Palace. After an initial year on loan in South London, he signed for the Eagles on permanent basis in 2019. Now in his third year at Selhurst Park, Jordan is enjoying being a part of Roy Hodgson’s setup.

"I'm grateful to the whole club, especially the manager Roy Hodgson, assistant Ray Lewington, chairman Steven Parish and sporting director Dougie Freedman. They are the ones who trusted me and had the belief in me to sign me permanently. Since I came to this football club, they have been so supportive and so good to me. The only thing I could do was just try to go on the pitch, perform and do my best for the team."

Abedi Pele retired from playing over two decades ago, but he still has a huge passion for the game. He makes sure his sons benefit from his experience. Jordan gets feedback from the old man after every match, albeit with some delay.

"He doesn't watch the games live because he's a bit too anxious, so they record them and he watches them afterwards. Then, when he's finished, he briefs me a bit. If I've not done well, he tells me I've not done well. And if I have done well, he still tells me I've not done well."

Crystal Palace haven’t had a spectacular season by any means. They are forced to grind every point out, but it’s something that suits Jordan’s style of play.

"People tell me that I don't have the killer instinct or aggressiveness in front of goal. But I am in a team where we need to work for each point. I can't just stand upfront and wait for the ball and try to take people on and shoot. There are other things I need to do and I enjoy doing them."

He’s not Air Jordan and he’s no Edson Arantes do Nascimento Pele, but Jordan Ayew loves chasing after the ball in one of the world’s most demanding football competitions. Palace host relegation-threatened West Bromwich Albion in what promises to be a physical encounter in London.

PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 28

Friday

Newcastle United - Aston Villa 1-1 (0-0)

/Lascelles 90+4 – Clark 84 (og)/

Saturday

15.30 Leeds United - Chelsea

18.00 Crystal Palace - West Bromwich Albion

20.30 Everton - Burnley

23.00 Fulham - Manchester City

Sunday

15.00 Southampton - Brighton

17.00 Leicester City - Sheffield United

19.30 Arsenal - Tottenham Hotspur

22.15 Manchester United - West Ham United