₦airaland Forum

Clementoke:
There is always a 1st choice bro.
A good 20 year footballer is not an amateur. He should have played one or two seasons of high level football (according to Komekn). Someone like that would have a Plan A (or plan B if it applies) of who to represent.
My thoughts.

Plan A and B leaving both options open. Some of these guys don't make a decision at a young age so as to mess up their chances of good income and endorsements(Iorfa's dad mentioned something like this).
WE all know how much being an "English youth international" carries.

timay:
This is not true. Dele was never and I don't think has ever played CM. He started out as a Winger for Spurs before being converted to an AM as time went on. At those two positions, you will get to goal scoring position and score. So it's not a big deal considering his playing position

Sorry wrong screenshots. These are the ones that show where he played at Crewe before he moved to Spuds.
He carried on playing there till Poch eventually moved him to an AM.

timay:
This is not true. Dele was never and I don't think has ever played CM. He started out as a Winger for Spurs before being converted to an AM as time went on. At those two positions, you will get to goal scoring position and score. So it's not a big deal considering his playing position

Dele played as a CM in his first few games for Spuds. He also played as a LM in a 4-4-2 before he switched to AM.
In his first two seasons - it was a big deal as he was a 20 year old that could play different positions.
The first two screenshots was where he played at Crewe before he moved to Spuds.

andrew444:
What has Mason Greenwood that you are mentioning him ?

Another overhyped player loading

Even Ansu fati has done more than Mason Greenwood with lesser games but you wont hear noise from the spanish media

I'm talking about what I've seen with my own eyes.
I normally don't watch manure games unless there are playing against Arsenal but these days I check it out just to see Greenwood.
That boy is a damn baller!! The black RVP.

Earthquake1:
Are you telling me as a 20 year old professional you don't know what country you want to play for?

Don't deceive yourself, those who consider Nigeria are because they are no position to choose, Sheyi Ojo, Akpom etc

Yes especially if they have dual nationalities.

Earthquake1:
No player is undecided, you play for the country you want or settle for less

He was undecided. He most likely would've made the switch if things didn't change like Tbaba1234 said.

ChrisKels:
Maybe Ademola is some consolation, but definitely not Saka. Saka is more naturally gifted than both Fikayo and Tammy. If we get Saka, England would be sad that they went for the wrong guys in Tammy and Fikayo.

They probably won't cry too much over it. They have that Mason Greenwood kid or whatever his name is. Crazy baller.
Good time to snatch Saka.

darkelf:
Exactly oo my brother

Even the once hyped Delle Alli is looking very average this days

Hyped Dele Alli has scored 53 league goals for Spuds as a CM at 23 years of age. Hyped or not - that is a big deal.

Earthquake1:
Like he didn't know the country he wanted to play for as at then?

He probably was undecided. You think he knew England NT would cap him?

ChrisKels:
They did, buh the guy chose Euro U21 tourney with England, instead. He was never interested in playing for Nigeria, in fact, if he had failed with his English dreams, his next stop would av been Canada not Nigeria. So folks in here should stop crying.





In other news, here is something to cheer about; From the little I av gathered, Bukayo Saka is excited with the prospect of playing for Nigeria bkus he, just like his father, is a die hard super eagles fan. He grew up watching more Nigerian games at home than England games. His father brought him up purely the Nigerian way, hence he doesn't consider himself English, but Nigerian. In fact, his paper work would be through same time as Ademola's.

Getting Saka and Ademola is some consolation I guess.

charlesemeka85:
he was approached but he said he needs time to think about his international future. then he was at the verge of playing for england at the last euro u21 championship

Oh I see. You can't blame anyone then. Let's move on...

forgiveness:
So you expected him to still wait for someone who never approached him?

First come first serve. Chikena!

They should've approached him when he was at Derby.

Eberechi is making the Championship look Eze
By Oliver Walker

Eberechi Eze of Queen’s Park Rangers first came to our attention during his breakout loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers in 2017-18. He continued to show promise after breaking through into the QPR first team in 2018-19, and has now made a start to this season that’s impossible to ignore. A player that was previously simmering may now be reaching boiling point.

The summer appointment of Mark Warburton as manager has turned QPR from unremarkable Championship no-hopers to a side full of attacking intention and in Eze they have a player ready-made to thrive on such freedom of expression. Equally comfortable playing as a #10 or out wide, the 21 year old has also impressed in a deeper role, featuring on several occasions as an #8 in a 3-1-4-2.



Clearly enjoying the deeper starting role, Eze’s gotten on the ball in the earlier stages of QPR’s possession and by utilising his close control, quick feet and athletic ability to drive through the midfield, completing no fewer than 85% of his ball carries that end within the opposition half, he’s been a real force at turning defence into attack.



The advanced positions he regularly ends up in means it’s appropriate to look at his contribution against the boundaries for more advanced midfielders and wide players as well. Eze’s ability to make an impact in the final third has been key to QPR’s strong start and his Scoring Contribution rate of 0.55 (goals + assists per 90 minutes) ranks him second for all players in the Championship under the age of 22, with his expected rates (xG + xG assisted) not far behind either at 0.33.



Far from just a capable carrier, he also has the passing mastery to match. A really smart user of the ball in and around the final third, Eze has the capability to see an opportunity to play a killer pass but also the technical accomplishment to execute them as well, completing 87% of his passes into and within the attacking third.



As expected, the rumour mill has begun to turn with Southampton and Spurs the Premier League sides most recently linked, a step up that will become an expectation rather than a possibility should Eze maintain his fine start.


Source - Statsbomb.

Barryseal:
Why are people taking Tomori's decision badly?
Ajayi was being celebrated as a good centre back, on goal scoring streak in the championship where Tomori played just a few months ago.

If indeed Ajayi is as good as the hype, why are you guys saying we don't have good centre back options in addition to Ekong, Omeruo, Awaziem.
Either these guys are good or people have been speaking with both sides of their mouth.

Tomori has made the step up to the epl and is performing well.
WE would've had our replacement for Leon. Time to move on I guess.

Tomori and Tammy have agreed to a new 5 year deal.
Coincidence?? I think not...

Solanke dey craze... No do a "Tammy" on us.

Did anyone post about this earlier?? This is so sad!! Dude was just 32...#ripissacpromise.

jihday:
Both of them are in, list officially released

I was afraid this would happen... Tomori is a massive massive loss.
Sad news to wake up to. Oh well...

Branzy:
Where will you put vardy

Vardy has retired

MetalJigsaw:
Not true... Its even hard to see any player of Dual nationality that includes African lead England's attack. The English are too biased to let that happen.

They said the same thing about Sterling. You guys shouldn't be quick to write Tammy off.
I don't like his recent antics but dude is talented. As at this moment, dude has to be seen as 2nd choice to Kane.

tbaba1234:
Odey is not even in the team.

I don't understand why Genk bought both Odey and Onuachu.
Seems like a waste of money.

simiife:
South Africans re bashing Dennis for nt passing to Tau in dis situation

By d way,dis Dennis boy wicked oo,he gave varane 'show me ur bom bom' style, in oda words,its called 'gbe idi e wa'

Honestly he should've passed. Las Las Na the same decision making we dey talk about.
A similar scenario played out at the 2010 WC against Argentina. We would've drawn the game but glory hunting spoil everything.

Seriously... What more does QPR's Eze need to do to get a Nigeria call up?

COLIN UDOH
Special to ESPN
Sep 28, 20195 Minute Read

QPR's Ebere Eze can't seem to buy his way into the Nigeria team at the moment, despite his excellent efforts in England.
Mark Pain/PA Images via Getty Images
Nigeria's latest squad call-up once again brought disappointment for admirers of QPR's Ebere Eze.

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On Thursday, the Super Eagles named their 23-man squad to face Brazil in a prestigious friendly game scheduled for mid-October, with just one new addiction to the list in Slavia Prague's Peter Olayinka.

It meant that, once again, there was no space for the 21-year old, who has shown such good form that there has been reports he could be an English Premier League player sooner rather than later, with Tottenham Hotspur reportedly keeping close tabs.

In midfield, where Ebere would have fit in, there was a recall for Granada's in-form starlet Ramon Azeez as Gernot Rohr named six midfielders. That is the most he has listed since just before the Africa Cup of Nations, an area of clear deficiency.

Both call-ups are nothing if not thoroughly deserving.

Former junior international Azeez, who was in Nigeria's 2014 FIFA World Cup squad before slipping into relative oblivion, showed such strong performances this new season that he broke into the ESPN's Nigeria Power Rankings for August.

And what more can be said of Olayinka, who transferred his domineering league form into the UEFA Champions League as Prague went within a hair's breadth of a major upset at giants Inter Milan.

Add the stunning impact made by Glasgow Rangers' Joseph Aribo on his debut for Nigeria, and it is almost understandable why Eze is still on the outside looking in. Almost.

Midfield has been a problem area for Rohr from the very beginning of his rebuilding process. While his forward line and defence have seen relatively minimal churn, midfield has experienced more than its fair share of turnover, from Nosa Igiebor during the early days to this latest call-up of Azeez.


Granada CF's Ramon Azeez has earned a Nigeria call up after years in the wilderness.
Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
The German has, to be fair to him, come to something of a settled middle three for his 4-3-3 style. Prior to John Mikel Obi's retirement, the preferred selection was Obi, Wilfred Ndidi and Oghenekaro Etebo, with Alex Iwobi and John Ogu as backstops. Kelechi Iheanacho has also been deployed there occasionally.

With Mikel's injury absence, then dip in form and eventual retirement, his place was taken by Iwobi. But that area of the team continued to be lacking in numbers, especially after injury to Ogenyi Onazi.

One big criticism of that department has been a lack of creative juice. Almost all of Rohr's midfielders have been essentially defensive-leaning, when an attack-minded person was desperately needed.

Mikel did not appear particularly suited to the role despite early successes, Etebo has been tried there, as has Iheanacho before Rohr finally settled on Iwobi. The Everton man appears to be settling in there game by game, and occasionally offers glimpses of the crowd-pleasing footwork that gets fans juices going.

Overall however, he is a tidy player who just wants to advance the ball and keep play circulating. Which may explain why there remains a yearning for more. More creativity, more adventure, more invention.

Eze ticks those particular boxes. He possesses the nifty footwork, the eye for a pass, and the vision to get past players. His energy and defensive graft also make him suitable for a box to box role. Not to endow him with all-conquering abilities, but he has the looks of a good fit, especially for the long haul.


Joe Aribo recently received his first call up to the Nigeria side, after a stellar early season for Glasgow Rangers.
Mark Runnacles/Getty Images
That was, until Aribo came along. The Rangers man, in direct competition for the spot, came in like a whirlwind and blew all competitors away. It is only right that he has earned a second call. And it would take a real stinker for him to lose it now.

In danger, though, is Anderson Esiti, who may have earned a recall but played poorly in the last game when he made his return, after over four years in the wilderness. A second dodgy performance could prove fatal to his international career, and open the door to Eze.

There may also be an additional hoop to jump through. Although he is yet to make a competitive appearance, Eze was in the England setup for the UEFA Under 21 championships and Rohr told ESPN a year ago it could mean a longer route to secure the paperwork needed to get him to play in Nigeria colours.

That could well be a reason for his absence, even if a tenuous one, because if he is really needed and wanted by the coach, that paperwork won't be as big an obstacle as it seems.

NIGERIA SQUAD TO FACE BRAZIL
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC); Emil Maduka Okoye (Fortuna Dusseldorf, Germany)

Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (CD Leganes, Spain); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England)

Midfielders: Alexander Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Anderson Esiti (PAOK Salonica, Greece); Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Ramon Azeez (Granada FC, Spain)

Forwards: Victor Osimhen (Lille OSC, France); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Emmanuel Dennis (Club Brugge, Belgium); Peter Olayinka (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)

Utaka getting some love

OlawaleBammie:
Ahh!!!

how u take knw say hin no b ardent follower of Christ?? dis one weak me small.

LOL the guy Na atheist.

OlawaleBammie:
Now i bliv dis. real has bn short of luck since his induction into the team.

The guy just needs spiritual cleansing. Na good keeper but he must make Christ his personal lord and savior or he will never recover his old form.

OlawaleBammie:
you wil tank perez nt me cus i didn't support d idea from d onset.
we never had problem with keeper until kotoa came.

Courtois was cursed by Chelsea fans for his behavior before he left.

safarigirl:
You people should see Sowetan Live abeg

LOL make we allow them. At least they acknowledged Dennis.

tbaba1234:
Tanzania league signed a $3.9 million deal with Vodacom..

NPFL, when are you starting? What happened to the DSTV deal?

They're busy blaming Rohr for not filling the team with home based players...

charlesemeka85:
Eze played in the toulon tournament with England u20 team last year. I thought that cap tied him?

I heard the same too.

Looks like we might lose Tomori...



Abraham & Tomori: Nigeria coach Rohr cool on England duo
By Oluwashina Okeleji

Football Writer, Nigeria

1 Oct From the sectionAfrican
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Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham celebrate a goal for Chelsea together
Academy players Fikayo Tomori (left) and Tammy Abraham (right) have both broken into the Chelsea first team this season
Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr says Chelsea players Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori are not currently part of his plans.

Striker Abraham, 21, who is eligible for Nigeria through his father and has been capped twice by England in friendlies, has refused to rule out playing for the Super Eagles.

Canada-born defender Tomori, also 21, has 15 caps for the England Under-21 team but has previously said he could play for Nigeria as he is eligible through his parents.

"They are both interesting players, but we have made our immediate plans without Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori," Rohr told BBC Sport.

"They are not interested in discussing their international options at the moment and we need to respect that."

England are due to face the Czech Republic and Bulgaria in World Cup qualifiers this month. Should either player take to the field in one of the competitive fixtures they will no longer have the option of changing their allegiance.

"It is also significant to note that Abraham has been assured that he will be in the England squad," Rohr added.

"Tomori is a very good friend of our player Ola Aina (ex-Chelsea and England youth international) and he said he does not want to discuss this for now.

"We have to focus on what we have and not lose focus about what people say all the time."

Nigeria have previously succeeded in convincing former England youth players like Aina and Sone Aluko to represent the three-time African champions.

Another English-born player, Joe Aribo, who players for Rangers in Scotland, scored on his debut against Ukraine in September.

Aribo's Rangers teammate and England Under-20 World Cup winner Sheyi Ojo also told the BBC that he would love to represent Nigeria if they approach him.

And last week another former England youth international, Chuba Akpom, revealed he has now pledged his international allegiance to the country of his parents.

Is Tosin part of the 3 players making the switch?