Oxford United defender names teammate as ‘best of the best’

Kioso is one of many players who have been thrust into the first team after previously being on the fringes of the squad and has taken his chance with both hands.

After the U’s were hit with a temporary transfer embargo in July, names like Kioso were handed a huge chance to impress under new head coach Aaron Ramsey.

The right back has started three of the Yellows’ first five League One fixtures, all of which the team has gone on to win.

The former Luton Town and MK Dons man has cited his efforts to face ‘the best of the best’ opponents has led to him cementing himself in the Oxford team and named one of his teammates as one of the best players he has faced.

“I haven’t started too bad,” Kioso said ahead of United clash with Cambridge United.

“Like I said, I feel I have a lot more to give. I know that in myself.

“Defensively, I think I’ve done quite well.

Oxford United right back Peter Kioso (Image: Oxford United)

“It always helps when you’re coming up against the excellent wingers we have here.

“I do try and put myself against the best of the best and I’ve always said, [Siriki Dembele], I feel like he’s one of the best wingers I’ve come up against in my professional career.

“So, even in training, trying to work against him just to get me ready for games has helped.”

Dembele scored his first goal of the season in the most recent U’s result, a 2-0 win against Burton Albion.

He also recorded an assist after starting all five of the U’s league games so far.

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Both Kioso and Dembele are players who many would have thought would not have been at the club this season.

“Yeah, maybe,” the former replied when asked whether he thought his time at Oxford could have been over.

“Possibly; obviously how things went last season and naturally so, some of the fans probably thought that as well on the outside which is understandable.

“But I always believed in myself and always knew I was good enough to play here.

Peter Kioso closes down his man at Leicester City (Image: Oxford United)

“It was just about proving it week in, week out and having someone that believes in me.

“It’s never easy because you have the thoughts in your head of, are things going to go the exact same as they did last season?

“But you have to put things to the side which I did quite quickly.

“I had some conversations with the gaffer, he was honest with me.

“And from that conversation, it was just about me proving that I’m good enough to be here, not just to everyone else, but also to myself as well.”