I was once coached by Big John Fisher, now I’m set to star in the Premier League

Up the Mackems. BOSH!

The phrase will likely become the soundtrack to Sunderland’s return to the Premier League with Aji Alese in their ranks.

The defender, who was a key figure for the Black Cats in the first few weeks of last season, is hoping to put his injury troubles behind him.

And ‘Big John’ Fisher will be in no doubt that he does, having witnessed Alese’s attitude that set him apart from an early age.

The internet sensation is the father of boxer Johnny, who recently suffered his first professional defeat at the hands of Dave Allen.

‘Big John’ is better known for his life and love of Chinese food, and has over 61,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel, ‘Bosh TV’.

But long before the Boshfather was mentoring boxers and bosh soldiers, he was overseeing ballers at Romford Royals FC.

Big John coached Alese at the under-eights level of the Essex Senior League club, as well as for the Havering district schools team.

The pair remain close well over a decade later, having filmed a video together to celebrate Alese’s Sunderland contract extension last year.

On Instagram, Big John recently wrote: “Ajibola remains a strong friend of our family up to this day.

“A remarkable young man who used to play football with our middle son, Henry.

“I used to coach him for Romford Royals FC and also for Havering district schools team.

“An outstanding talent from a very young age, but what made him stand out was his great attitude.

“Let’s av it Aji , bosh”, to which Alese was quick to reference Big John’s famous catchphrase in the comments, replying, ‘le bosh.’

Alese emulated Big John in enjoying a rapid rise to fame, but has since had to show the family’s fighting spirit to combat injuries.

The ball-playing defender, who can operate both centrally and at left-back, spent 14 years with West Ham after rising through the ranks.

Londoner Alese captained the Hammers U18s and U23s before debuting against Hull City in the Carabao Cup in September 2020.

His only other appearance for the Irons was the 1-0 Europa League Group H defeat by GNK Dinamo under David Moyes over a year later.

The 24-year-old spent time on loan at Accrington Stanley and Cambridge United before joining Sunderland upon their return to the Championship ahead of the 2022/23 season.

The England youth international played 90 minutes in the Black Cats’ first three games of last campaign before struggling with injuries.

A troublesome ankle issue sidelined him until November, before his campaign was ended less than two months into his return.

Alese was stretchered off after suffering a broken leg in Sunderland’s FA Cup defeat to Stoke City in January and needed surgery.

The defender wasn’t expected back until pre-season, but surprised club staff with his rapid recovery ahead of the playoffs.

Regis Le Bris said: “He’s worked really hard to be back.

“It’s really a surprise for me, because after the injury it was clear for me that it should have been a long period to recover properly.

“But he was really positive, worked well, and it’s really good for us to have Aji with us.”

Alese, ultimately, wasn’t rushed back into the team at such a crucial juncture, as Sunderland went on to claim Wembley glory.

Fittingly, the Wearsiders’ first Premier League match comes against his boyhood club, West Ham, aka the Bosh derby!