Between the morning session, welcoming the Irish Examiner, and dining, he’s packed a lot in before the commute.

And then he remembers there’s a shower to take. Sitting in the canteen observing through the window Luton’s newest star scamper and screech around the courtyard are Kevin Foley and Alan McCormack. They’re both back at the club they played for in coaching positions but smile at the uniqueness of their compatriot.

They’ve long reached the stage of slowing down but the pace of Ogbene’s accent is only accelerating. 

He has every right to have a spring in his step, for his Premier League introduction is creating a splash and not just in his homeland. From rattling Liverpool last Sunday to Old Trafford, where a vulnerable United await, this is everything he wanted. And more.

“I always wanted to be a professional footballer but didn’t know what level I’d get to,” he reflects while sitting in the club’s gym.

“Premier League was the dream but I didn’t think I’d get here and score my first goal by 26.

“Everything has moved so fast over six years but there were times I didn’t think those achievements would be possible.” 

That was understandable when he walked out on Brentford and Thomas Frank of his own volition. While the Bees were on a trajectory to become a Premier League staple, he didn’t see himself part of the equation and changed lanes.

“When I left Brentford, the belief was there that I’d get back to the Championship,” the former Cork City and Limerick player said about the conviction he felt about that 2019 decision.

“I knew I could play at that level but after my first year in the Ireland team I started thinking: Could I aspire for the Premier League?

“I pushed for that in the summer. Even though there were opportunities to join strong Championship clubs in the summer, I was never going to turn down Luton.

“Many players don’t get the chance over a 20-year career to be in the Premier League.

“My former coach in Ireland Joe Gamble said if I played five games in the Premier, that’s better than 30 Championship matches.” 

Double figures has been reached already. Manager Rob Edwards has been effusive in his praise for his pre-season capture from Rotherham United, especially the patience he showed for his current status of regular to be attained.

“I wasn’t frustrated because I had prepared myself for this in the summer,” he reasons. “I wasn’t here when the boys won the playoff to get promoted so I knew I had to bide my time. They got the club where it is today.

“Luton had a bit of everything last season – they could be physical, play football and get through difficult days.

“When I first met the manager, he couldn’t guarantee anyone a place but I’d get opportunities if I took his advice and play as he’d seen me for Rotherham and Ireland. That was enough for me. You have to be trusted to play in this team. It’s not like the Championship where players can do what they want.” 

But Ogbene has the look of a player enlivened by freedom. Top-flight Irish footballers, particularly goalscoring ones, are rare outside the freakish phenomenon that is Evan Ferguson, but little has altered in his approach.

Amidst the hype of gaining plaudits from Jamie Carragher for tormenting his beloved Pool, he maintains his yoga ritual. This is a life-changing season to everyone but himself.

“Ten minutes in the morning and another ten before bed,” he explains with his trademark smile. “I haven’t continued the hot yoga since moving from Sheffield but do my own on a daily basis.

“It’s my way of destressing. I first started when out injured with meniscus damage because it builds tendon resistance but it’s mainly for the mind.

“My life hasn’t changed. I didn’t change because how I’ve lived has gotten me to this stage. I eat well and don’t drink alcohol so I look after myself.

“Of course, being in the Premier League is more taxing on the body and I have to do extra recovery. Whereas I would’ve been in the swimming pool a few times per week last season, it’s now daily - even on my day off.” 

Where he does succeed in switching off is his Sunday pilgrimage to mass. With his girlfriend due to move over from Ireland in January, the house he craved to upgrade from the apartment living up north wasn’t available in Luton.

He chose to reside in the quieter environs, a 15-minute drive from the training grounds, but as shown by the picture of him meeting a young supporter that went viral last week, he doesn’t go unnoticed. That also applies to the sanctuary of Mass.

“A man with an Irish accent looked across at me one Sunday and said: “You look like that gentleman Chiedozie Ogbene – and I said it was me!

“He’s from County Mayo but has been living here for 40 years. Then the priest recognised me.” 

That recognition will soar based on his current progress. His flexibility means he can make an impact from either flank at Old Trafford or more centrally when called upon. Harry Maguire could be rife for another filleting.

“To be honest, because we played 3-5-2 at the start of the season, I thought I’d be used as wing back,” he adds.

“But once we switched to 4-3-3, he put me as a winger.

“Full backs are quite dominant in the Premier but we can counter from the sides in the transition.

“I’ve learnt in this league that we can’t press everyone so be patient and make better decisions.

“My natural trait at Rotherham was to press but it’s different in the Premier League. They read it and break the press so I’ve got to conserve energy.” 

That was a ploy Luton mastered against Liverpool, leading until Luis Díaz’s late equaliser at Kenilworth Road on Sunday.

As a boyhood Liverpool fan, he could have been in awe but even resisted the urge to demand a jersey swap.

“That’s why I didn’t shoot,” he joked about his fondness of Reds.

“I didn’t get to swap the jersey because due to the poppies the sponsors get to keep them.

“Some of the lads swapped and took the fine but I didn’t want to risk it. Maybe I’ll get one at Anfield.

“If I was to ask for one, it would probably be Mo Salah but Trent Alexander Arnold is excellent too.

“Liverpool had so many good individuals who can take the game by themselves. They’re at a different level.

"My job was to stop Trent spraying his long passes by putting pressure on him but it was difficult. He has a license to roam.

“It was great for our team, competing against the best of the best, and we got a good result.

“We’re disappointed not to see out the win but a point against a good Liverpool team is great for us, considering our journeys. Most of us have come from the Championship or League One.” 

That background and the club’s limited facilities soon switched the narrative from romance to fear for their immediate relegation.

Results like the draw Ogbene helped eke out by scoring at Nottingham Forest have kept them above the drop zone and silenced a section of naysayers.

“We were written off at the start of the season but we feed off that energy,” he contended.

“It’s easier to go for the big clubs and teams that have been in the Premier for years but opinions don’t play the game. We’ve taken points off Everton and Liverpool, while we were disappointed not to get something from the Tottenham game. This team will only get better.” 

Plunging United further into crisis would be evidence of that.

“This is probably the best time to play Manchester United,” he confesses.

“I watched them against Copenhagen on Wednesday and it was one-way traffic until they went down to 10 men.

“We know what they’ll possess with 11 players so it’s important to stay in the game. As I always say, football is about moments. We took our moment against Liverpool.

“Saturday is another moment for me. If I can tell the kids I’ve played in stadiums like Old Trafford, they can aspire to be their Dad.”