₦airaland Forum

That's a little bit unfair KC has 5 assists this season so far plus I have seen him lay it on a plate for a couple of players these past few match days. If their finishing had been sharper he would have easily entered double figures for assists.

nairalandankrah:
And If his goals dries up, he returns to being a squad player.. Cos his only contribution is goals.
He needs to improve his All round play to avoid that..

Kelechi has now reached 30 premier league goals. Can he catch or surpass Yakubu? Tough ask but age and time is still on his side. Needs to work more on his right foot.

you're not seriously comparing Ighalo to Zlatan?

That aside Ibrahimovic was recalled because Sweden currently lacks top strikers plus his form at AC Milan has been very good of late.

Nigeria is in no way shape or form experiencing a striker crisis. Osimhen has stepped up as the main man while Onuachu and Iheanacho are currently hitting form with club and country. Ighalo should be left alone to enjoy his money and retirement from national team football.

12large1:
I dont understand you guys here. A 32 year proven and fit experienced player that was recently the top scorer at ANCQ and ANC in 2019 and became the first Nigerian to play for Manchester United isn't good enough to be recalled because we have many youngsters? You my friend is the Mad one. I still don't know why Nigerians love to retire its players early while other countries legend are playing even at 36, 37. Ibrahimovich just got recalled back to sweden

looks like Chelsea, Man City, Barcelona and Arsenal have gone and pulled an Avengers Endgame and decided to back the fans against Thanos (Perez)

hmmm the impression I'm getting from some quarters is that money will eventually make everyone fall in line but I think the crucial people who will help stop this Super League thing are the players of the respective 12 founder teams. If prominent guys like Messi, Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic can voice their displeasure that might cause a rethink.

UEFA and FIFA are fighting for their survival now so they will surely deploy every weapon in their arsenal.

Also heard players who get involved in the Super League could be banned from international football meaning wider repercussions for tournaments like World Cup, Euros, AFCON, Copa America etc.

TheSuperNerd:
Just seeing this. Been a while dear doc Likita.

Anyway, latest reports from earlier today showed that the German clubs are united against it for now. Bayern and Dortmund have already released statements which I believe you must have come across by now. Leipzig? Well... Nothing yet.

It is the Serie A meeting outcome I have been waiting for and reports now say it is over with the Big 3 saying they still want to remain part of Serie A even if they play in the ESL. More decisions and meetings to be made in the coming days especially by Uefa whose president wants the 12 clubs banned ASAP.

you have come again with your assertions that are never grounded in reality. So Pepe will not make the starting XI of teams that have people like Maguire, Lindelof, Rudiger, Soyunchu, Johnny Evans to mention a few in their defense?

Anyway it's your style when your previous assertions end up in the mud you try to distract from it by drawing up another ridiculous argument. But today you are not going to slip away so easy.

So Mr Komekn please do you now admit your initial opinion about Kelechi Iheanacho was wrong and admit like a man your assersion about him was wrong from the get go?

komekn:
Pepe currently will not make it as a first choice CB in any top EPL side considering the physicality as well as speed required, he just will not be able to cut it IMO

TheSuperNerd:
I understand Andy. 17 leagues games without a La Liga goal. I see where you were coming from. But you see looking at only goals and assists won't tell you the angle I was coming from when I insist Chukwueze has improved and is still improving since he returned from his groin surgery operation.

Now, indulge me as I take you on a detailed ride showing you how Chuks has really stepped up of late.
I divide his La Liga season so far into two windows:

1. The Pre-Groin Surgery window.

2. The Post-Groin surgery window.

And note... I am only looking at his La Liga games. I deliberately left out the UEFA Europa League and Copa Del Rey numbers.



Now, Pre-surgery, Chukwueze made 1 start in 9 games since his last La Liga goal vs Valladolid.
In that period of 9 La Liga games he created only 2 chances, won a penalty (vs Real Madrid), Hit the woodwork vs Sevilla and bagged an assist vs Levante. That's all.

After this, he finally succumbed to the pains in his groin and had to do a groin operation which ruled him out for about a month or slightly more.

Now, Groin surgery done:Knocked him out between the match day windows of January 20th, 2021 and Feb 14th, 2021. He made his return for only 5 mins vs Athletic Bilbao on February 21.

Now here begins the amazing part... Chukwueze back even better with a bang bang!!

Post surgery, Chukwueze had so far made 4 starts in 8 la liga games and in this period he had created six times the amount of chances he created in the initial nine games since his last goal vs Valladolid.

His numbers post-surgery reads 12 chances created, 2 big chances created, 2 goals and now Two MOTM awards. All Attained in 4 starts from the 8 games so far since his return from the groin operation.

It's almost as if the groin pain was initially limiting the lad towards mid-season as it worsened compared to his early season showings, but now with the pain gone, he had been unleashed and looks reborn. He's finally getting back to his best and stepping up his game into a more playmaking one with the amount of chances he keeps creating for his team. Don't forget he also guns for goals... He hit the post twice in the UEL before bagging a brace last night. Should be having more if not for the post, honestly.


Here is the breakdown:

▶️He returned from his groin injury layoff for five mins+ of action on Feb.21 vs Athletic Bilbao

▶️Next game vs Atletico Madrid he picked up the MOTM award despite his side falling 2-0.
Made 4 key passes (i.e created four chances).

▶️1 key pass, 1 big chance created vs Valencia

▶️2 key passes, 1 big chance created vs Eibar

▶️1 key pass vs Cadiz

▶️1 key pass vs Granada

▶️3 key passes vs Osasuna

▶️2 goals and 2nd MOTM award vs Levante.


So I hope with these facts and perspective takes, I have been able to convince you of how much Chuks has indeed improved lately.

Just watch out... There is more to come.





Note: Remember... These are only La Liga numbers so far focusing on the 17 games since his goal vs Valladolid on November 2. And just in case, you are curious about how he fared leading up to November 2. I can just hint that he created 10 chances alone while ignoring any other stat. This was also before his Groin operation. In the early part of the season, the groin pains hasn't exacerbated yet. Hence those numbers. So yeah... It was a pleasure.

have to say Doc this is one of reasons I like reading your posts. Even when you take a position I don't agree with (very rare) you back it up with solid analysis for how and why you arrived at such a point.

JohnBullMySon:
Since the 21st century, football has always been about money. UEFA and FIFA are about to lose money, so they're throwing out these stupid narratives. Is it not the same thing they wanted to form in Africa?

FIFA that is talking, hosting rights and the corruption that goes on there, isn't it about money?

two wrongs don't make a right. it's better to solve an existing problem than make it up worse.

This whole Super League thing rubs me up the wrong way. If it materializes next season I will most definitely sign out. Why I'm against it is it could spill over to International football all the big nations will just come together, play amongst themselves and shut out the small fry. What then happens to the competition and unpredictability of football? Sometimes money is not everything.

Ndidi and Senior man really cracking me up. Wilfred asking Kelz to cut soap for him
Kelechi has also grown more confident when granting interviews. Has really brushed up on and off the field.

.

Maja from the penalty spot. Trust Arsenal

You talking because Tuchel is bringing water out of stone. Let normal service resume then you will use your same hands to start saying #Tuchelout.

Plus you think it's just this season i've been watching Christensen and Zouma? They are ok CBs but definitely not the quality a club like Chelsea should boast of.

Why I praise the Man City is because they play a highline which is more open and susceptible to counter attacks. Despite their open style they have conceded less goals than Chelsea.

chucs:
You are just too engrossed with whatever that is going on in Mancity. Dude one of the best ball playing CB is Christiansen and he is better than whatever Mancity have in that regard. Then add that to a very robust Rudiger and Silva, ofcourse he doesn't need introduction.

Koulibaly is a far cry from jam body. Someone that's a ball playing CB is who you are comparing to Rudiger? Please today is sunday don't start with the blasphemy.

I repeat again no single defender bar Silva is better than Pepe. What qualities do Rudiger, Zouma and Christensen have that surpasses Pepe? Please tell me I'm waiting to be educated.

Guy na wa for you a goal that we all saw! Zaidu misjudged the weight of the pass and lunged forward to intercept it from getting to Mount who cleverly shielded, turned and struck the ball beautifully. How the hell was it Pepe's position?

Tamunotonye22:
You call rudiger jam body, what about koulibaly? but he's highly rated, even by you. isn't that a style of football too. your excuses are invalid. with little mistakes and Bing very good at playing the ball and defending aerial duels, Chelsea defenders are way above Pepe atm. and I'm talking about form.
come to think of it, the goal Mason mount scored came from Pepe's position which sanusi tried to cover for.

How many goals conceded against Chelsea were Pepe's fault? Pepe's level is still above many EPL defenders currently that's the brutal truth. If an old man like Pepe is still balling better than most EPL CBs who are younger and fitter then it speaks alot about the quality of such defenders.

Tamunotonye22:
You lie. you have already chosen to misunderstand. How effective was he against Chelsea?

you have to understand what Andy is saying. Pepe on his own is a quality CB who I agree is better than most EPL defenders including Chelsea's bar Silva. Their are football formations that can cover the short comings of most defenders and have them looking like the second coming of Baresi. Rudiger is flourishing very well under Tuchel when we know on the best of days he's as jam body as it gets. Defenders like Pepe can do well in various setups like 4 or 3 at the back but guys like Rudiger or Christensen just mistakenly play them highline the way Dias and Stones do for City and you will think you are watching a comedy movie.

Tamunotonye22:
Andrew said he'd pick Pepe ahead of any Chelsea defender. dismissed ratings and current form and chose experience and the fact that he has UCL to his name. very pathetic.

You are too dismissive of the great pressing work and defensive display guys like Jorginho, Kante, Mount, Werner put up yesterday. It's no fluke that they were able to handle you guys based on what I've seen them play against Athletico Madrid, Porto, Liverpool, Tottenham to mention a few. Tuchel sides once settled into that defensive strategy are damned hard to beat. Even if Man City's attack was sharp yesterday opportunities for your side would have come at a premium.

Subzero047:
They were defensively solid because they had nothing to do, Tuchel could play Alonso at CB and keep a clean sheet, Kepa was in goal ffs

No excuses Chelsea completely nullified your team yesterday. Tuchel has really done well to come up with a formation that guarantees defensive solidity. I always suspected that once the blues get the first goal your guys would find it difficult to score.

Subzero047:
Our best defensive partnership (Stones/Dias) didn't start, De Bruyne got injured in the first half, Foden, Gundogan didn't even start, Mendy and Jesus are masquerades

If that's not the sign of a coach going on hope alone I don't know what is

Most definitely. He's shown at the very least that he's a Serie A level striker.

jargooflife912:
One thing is certain Simy is not going back to Seria B with Crotone

Moffi scores against his potential employers

I know, I know we can only pray for things to improve. Here's a beautiful strike to get you in the mood for the weekend's fixtures.

NPFL-This is the wonder goal scored by Kwara Utd against Katsina Utd in Katsina ... pic.twitter.com/zctFX8bKLZ

— Sunday Dare,CON, Ph.D (@SundayDareSD) April 16, 2021

BascoVanVeli:
I expected that tbh. I have never seen a good unveiling in Nigeria. Not just in sports but at anything

guy you know see the way kano pillars unveil musa?

pesin for twitter say the presentation be like pesin wey dem call come principal office to receive suspension letter

BascoVanVeli:
At least money dey him hand

picture or adonbilivit

TheSuperNerd:
Ehen... Now let me indulge this.

It was at University level anyways (Arena name withheld ) A five-aside that lasted an hour plus featuring a few university team players even. I even played with my glasses (got this one like Edgar Davids') which gave me four eyes on the pitch
And it was me playing after a long time away from football. Class, they say, is permanent.

At the age of 8, I held the record for most goals scored in a single term and a single session in primary school. 40+ goals in a term alone not to mention a session. I broke the records again at age 9 and 10. I was such a prodigy before I hung up my boots early as I was also excelling in the classroom. No caps.

Andrew there? We for send am go sidon for bush as usual.


And naah... it was legendary Tbaba1234 ooo. Too bad he missed the cut for Russia 2018 when we were looking for a reliable Uzoho backup then.
The guy too like him work.

Etebo is not primarily a DM. Even from the stats you shared it shows Etebo is more offensively minded with the number of shots on goal. Ndidi usually sits deeper than Etebo when they play together so it's to be expected that Etebo will have more goals and assists.

Etebo and Ndidi were supposed to operate like Onazi and Mikel but why the two don't work well together is because Ndidi is your typical DM who just like to sits in front of the defense. Etebo like Onazi usually roves around the midfield stopping opposition midfielders but that is already Wilfred's job which leaves Etebo to either provide control (which he can't do) or act as a box-to-box midfielder which I haven't seen enough of from him.

BascoVanVeli:
So a defensive midfielder is judged by goals and assists



U will mention that but when I say Etebo has more goals and assists than Ndidi u will say he is not there for goals even though they play the exact same position. U are just proving how far fans go to avoid the truth.

BascoVanVeli:
Men lie, women lie but numbers never lie.

nice one takeons and number of shots over goals and assists any day big round of applause

Asking for proof of someone's supposed title of 'best midfielder' is me disliking him?

You know for someone you say you rate I don't know why you are finding it hard to show proof of Etebo's midfield brilliance.

BascoVanVeli:
Lol when u don't like someone u will do anything to discredit them. Now a team of the week is an opinion poll

Sorry I look for results on the pitch not opinion polls.

BascoVanVeli:
So he was forming activity when he made team of the week in the world cup ba? U guys just don't like Etebo and it is clear to see. U are arguing against pure facts just to disprove him

It's etebo we are talking about. Instead of asking me to interrogate the performance of other players you should be enthusiastic to show me this 'amazing qualites' that showed Etebo as our 'best midfielder'

Let me even humor you. Moses was poor but at least he assisted and scored a goal. Musa scored goals which ensured we beat Iceland.

Where was our 'best midfielder' all this time? Forming activity while winning opinion polls that don't mean jack robinson.

BascoVanVeli:
Why didn't the other players do their own

drimble wey no fit win match! you come further spoil the matter mention the patron saint of shakushakuism.

12large1:
he had the most dribble in world cup history until hazard broke that record. What did ndidi do

na wa o so the highlight of our 'best midfielder' at the World Cup is scoring an own goal. Funny i thought it was goals and assists that they used to judge such things.

Moniter0:
dude was busying scoring own goal, yet they want to have us believe he was head and shoulder above the other players. I wonder what would have happened if it was Ndidi that scored such. Nawa

Ajax class of 95 and Louis Van Hal paying tribute to Finidi George on his 50th birthday

#Nigeria’s Finidi George turns 50 today🎂

He played for Calabar Rovers, Iwuanyanwu, & Sharks of Port Harcourt before earning a move to Ajax in 1993.

Finidi won 3 league titles, 2 Dutch Super Cups, the #UCL & UEFA Super Cup & the Intercontinental Cup🎈🎺pic.twitter.com/Ej2Qkd3Sh0

— Olúwashínà Òkélèjì (@oluwashina) April 15, 2021

exactly my point what did he do against them upon all the man of the match award he picked up? games that we lost?

Guinea? that was a tagteam brutality of Keita between Ndidi and Etebo.

BascoVanVeli:
Come on now don't contradict yourself. Against Croatia he was our best player. Same against Argentina. Let's not talk about the AFCON where Guinea filled a complaint against him for abusing Liverpool's Keita like a Saturday mistress