Bromley boss hails Millwall loanee’s leadership qualities and sets target with Arsenal centre-back signing

Bromley boss Andy Woodman has hailed Chin Okoli’s leadership qualities and has challenged the Millwall loanee to keep his starting spot after the arrival of fellow defender Alex Kirk from Arsenal.

The 19-year-old Lewisham-raised defender, who skippered and scored the winning goal for Kevin Nugent’s Millwall U21 side in their Professional Development League national play-off final win over Sheffield United in May, joined the Ravens on a six-month loan spell this summer.

Woodman handed Okoli the captaincy in his first start during pre-season as Bromley fell to a 2-1 defeat at League Two side Crawley Town.

Okoli has started all six of Bromley’s first six outings in the National League and scored his first professional goal in their 2-2 draw with Rochdale.

“Chin is a real good leader in my opinion,” Woodman told the South London Press.

“I threw the armband to him early doors in the early games.

“Chin hasn’t had the luxury of what [Charlton loanee from last season] Deji [Elewere] had – I think it was six weeks before he got into the team.

“Deji had the time to bed in and learn how we play and what was expected.

“Chin has come straight into the team from Millwall.

“He has done great. I feel like he can get more goals – I’m trying to add that to his game.

“He should really be attacking everything and scoring more goals.

“He’s learning on the job. He’s still a young boy, 19, and playing in the National League.

“He’s seeing another centre-half coming in from Arsenal, so he has to play at a level now. This is what I want – every single player has to play to their maximum as they know someone will be ready to come in and take the shirt.

“Chin has the shirt and has to keep it. He’s done really well.”