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TIAGO ILORI FINALLY COMING OF AGE AT READING


For the first time since leaving Sporting four years ago, there may finally be light at the end of the tunnel for the former Liverpool youngster
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COMMENT By Solace Chukwu

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It may be an odd thing to say of a player who has represented both Liverpool and Sporting CP (both have 37 domestic league titles between them) but on Tuesday night, Tiago Ilori played arguably the biggest match of his young career at the Madejski Stadium in Berkshire.

Ilori may be only 24, but he seemed in danger of drifting into obscurity.

He broke into the first team at Sporting in 2013, making his senior league debut for the Lions alongside a certain Eric Dier in defence in a 3-2 victory over Gil Vicente. In total, he made 11 league appearances before Liverpool decided they had seen enough and snagged him for an undisclosed fee. Dier stayed one more season in Lisbon, and then moved to Tottenham Hotspur.

One can only speculate as to the reasons, but what is clear is that the paths of both players have diverged markedly.

Eric Dier Tottenham Premier League

Liverpool perhaps proved a step too far, and too soon, and after sundry loans, the Reds finally cut their losses, accepting a bid by Reading to take the player off their hands in a club-record deal for the Royals.

Dier has blossomed in London, scoring on his debut, becoming a mainstay at White Hart Lane, and representing England at the Euros last summer.

It is a cautionary tale, and not just about the dangers young players face moving to a huge clubs in a different league.

Dier came into Tottenham as one of the first signings of Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure, a manager whose demands on defensive players suited him down to a tee. The Argentine has refined the 23-year-old, magnifying his strengths and showing him the trust that is so crucial to player development.

That same intangible but crucial ingredient has been in short supply for Ilori, first under Brendan Rodgers, and then under Jurgen Klopp.

Tiago Ilori of Reading & Fulham's Marcus Bettinelli.jpg

No surprise then that, under Dutch legendary defender Jaap Stam, he may belatedly be coming of age.

In the absence of club skipper Paul McShane, Ilori came into the backline for the second leg of the Championship playoff semi-final against Fulham, and was magnificent. For context, the Cottagers finished the regular season tied with Newcastle United for the league’s best attack (85 goals scored), and led both on shots per game and average possession.

Basically, this Fulham side can play.

Despite a lack of playing time this term, Ilori turned in a thoroughly accomplished performance, with he and veteran goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi particularly defiant under heavy shelling. Particularly impressive was his ability to anticipate the movement of ball, cutting out Fulham attacks before they had a chance to develop.

He was not, however, averse to getting his hands (and shorts) dirty, as shown by his game-high five tackles. On the bench, Stam must have smiled quietly, himself a tough-tackling defender in his playing days, at the sort of assertiveness that was so frequently lacking while the 24-year-old was at Anfield.

Tiago Ilori of Reading

On the basis of this display, he now has a choice to make for the final as to whether to retain Ilori in the starting line-up for the playoff final against Huddersfield Town following their penalty victory over Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday. If they do secure promotion though, we will finally get to see how the Portuguese-Nigerian would get on at the highest level, a possibility denied us while he was with Liverpool.

This would be vital for the possibility of him playing for Nigeria at some point in the future, as Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr will not consider players in the lower divisions. There is, however, a bit of a shortage at the back for the Super Eagles, with an injection of quality surely needed.

Ilori has, up to this point, featured exclusively for the Portugal youth sides despite also being eligible for England, and was a part of their squad to last year’s Olympic Games in Rio. However, the step up to the senior national side is the steepest, and Nigeria could very profit within the window of uncertainty.

First though, there is work to do to convince. He has taken the first step and seized the opportunity handed him, and though it has taken him a lot longer, he may finally be able to showcase what it is Liverpool saw in him four years ago.




http://www.goal.com/en-ng/amp/news/tiago-ilori-finally-coming-of-age-at-reading/b6db6yourall1uq0ysq5w2axs

lexyman:
i keep having the feeling that Chelsea will come for him , it may even be next season .

Ndidi is too good for leicester-city-fc.

The boy can play.

TheSuperNerd:
Yeah... thanks for the reminder on Felix too... he played today oooo... for Wolfsburg I think in their one all draw with Hannover. That is another bright talent.

Felix Uduokhai seems to focus on Germany and Germany is focusing on Felix.

I hope Rohr lure him to play for Nigeria.

TheSuperNerd:
Honestly, I want him!!!! I say I want him! Gerrimin!!! we don mention him name for here tire!! We need LB upgrade oooo...

And Jordan looks like the answer....

I hope no bi blogger wey one sell ooooooo.

However, we need German machine breed in the CB.

I wish we get Felix Uduokhai too.

Joebie:
He also played as RB for Wolves so many times. Glad he is still in the Championship.

He started as a RB anyway but at the tale end of last season, he was tried as a CB because one their defender out due to injury and he played well

TheSuperNerd:
Nigeria Hoping For Breakthrough In Talks With German-Nigerian Left Back Torunarigha

https://i0.wp.com/owngoalnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/94750976-6ADD-4273-B802-5285202EDCD0-390-0000001BDE084CD0.jpeg


The hierarchy of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are hoping they will be able to push German-Nigerian left full back Jordan Torunarigha to switch allegiance from Germany to Nigeria.

Torunarigha is a full fledged youth international for Germany, where he was given birth to parents of Nigerian descent with his father Ojokojo starring for Shooting Stars in the mid 80’s.
Although his father ruled out a possible switch to Nigeria earlier this year, when he confirmed he has been contacted by Nigeria.

The NFF are hoping renewed talks will convince the father of the 19 year old to switch allegiance.



Further talks are planned for December when Nigeria would have secured qualification for the World Cup 2018 in Russia if they are able to beat Zambia in October.

Already two players born in Germany namely Leon Balogun and Noh Joel Sarenren Bazee have pledged to pursue a senior international career with Nigeria, although they both didn’t play for Germany at youth level unlike Torunarigha.



**Ade Emmanuel

Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2017/09/09/nigeria-hoping-for-breakthrough-in-talks-with-german-nigerian-left-back-torunarigha/

Who say somebody no dey read comment on Nairaland?

This is a good one and deserves a thunderous rounds of applause.

Joebie:
Championship Update:

QPR 2-1 Ipswich

Onuoha starts and completes the game for the hosts as CD.
Bright Osayi Samuel benched by QPR

Domnic Lorfa works full shift as Ipswich's Central Defender
Tom Adeyemi was a 66th minute sub in for Ipswich.

Now, we're talking.

Dominic Iorfa is one of the best option for the CB slot. I have seen him play in that position for Wolves and he performed wonderfully well.

His father wants him to play for Nigeria and NFF should quickly do something about it fast.

He has decided to play for Nigeria.

TheSuperNerd:
Sir Joebie.... plsss beware... The Eagle-eyed Egbon Forgiveness is screening our reports.... Ilori na him son's friend's father's little second cousin.... Hahahaha... plsss Ilori na sure starter for reading fc anytime... this one na just well one-off... lol

Forgiveness eyes sharp die oooo.... Hahahahahahahahaha

https://www.intuitiveaccountant.com/downloads/626/download/ROFLMAO.jpg

Hahahahahah! I can't just stop laughing.

Joebie:
Championship Update:

Reading 0-1 Bristol

Sone Aluko worked full shift as LW for Reading.
Thiago Ilori remained in Reading's bench.

Hahahahahah!

As if say na bench em dey tey tey.

He was suspended for 2 matches due to red card and he just returned for this match.

Already started all the 3 matches before the red card.

Cc: adegwurulez

komekn:
To put it simply Tiago is not good enough.

I have watched him up close and personal over three years, in matches and in training. He was at Liverpool for three years and didnt play any serious game. Possibly played 2/3 games at most.

He went to Reading last season to date he hasn't played more than 10 games.

He is not as good as Dominic Iorfa who is mainly a right back. My view he hasn't been able to deal with the physicality and speed of the EPL and or the Championship.

Hahahahahah! Remember! You were forced to eat humble pie when you said the same against Solanke.


Tiago Ilori was sold in January to reading-fc and he played games immediately but was ruled out for six weeks.


Immediately, he came out of injury, Stam restored in for the rest of the season and remember he played in all the play off to the Premier League which they eventually lost to Huddersfield-town-fc in the final.


This season, out of total six matches played in the Championship he started 3 save 3 due to red card.

http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reading-fc-dealt-defensive-injury-12522454.amp

He is Stam number one choice at the CB.

tbaba1234:
I think the coach trusts Awaziem but Ekong and Balogun are ahead of him.

Agbo, not so much.

Are you sure? I want to see him play in one of our matches in the qualifiers but definitely not against Zambia.

Tiago Ilori Felix Uduokhai and Brain Idowu should be given the chance to slug it out with them.

Jordan Torunarigha should be given a chance on the LB position.

All these should be done after we have qualified for the world cup.

tglobal:
So if you were the coach, you will invite every central defender there is to test them before you make your final list? How much playing time would you need to fully assess each player? how many matches would you need to set up? Na so all the other coaches dey do am?

Have we tested Aweriem and Agbo enough?

We need solid back up for Ekong and Balogun and I don't think the coach trust Agbo and Awaziem.

eterisan:
yeah Mr kome... 1 Is Seyi interested.......2 Can he comfortably play... 3..is rohr giving him a look in... For now.. It is a long shot.. So we are stuck with ụwa... Lolz

No, we are not stuck with Uwa because we have Aina, Ebuehi, Brain Idowu and Jordan Torunarigha.

tglobal:
You started with the experience angle. How do you define experience? Number of games played?

Of course, I still maintain my experience angle. Just that he was trying to go talent or very good enough hence the checkmate with he is good enough.


Experience has to do with your numerous encounters a in particular field.

In this case, Tiago Ilori has gone through numerous encounters in professional football and National Football.

He has played in the top leagues from Portugal to Spain and France.

He was at the U20 World Cup. He was at the Olympics and he has played in UEFA competition.

What more?

adegwurulez:
I see you've shifted from experience to talent. We're making progress.

In ligue 1 nkor...


Ligue 1 Team of the Week: 24 (2014/15)
Simon Scutt with this week’s GFFN Ligue 1 Team of the Week.

Anthony Lopes (Lyon) GK

In Sunday’s massive top of the table clash Lyon and PSG shared the points but that barely tells the whole story. Lyon took the lead through a wonderful team goal to lead at the break. PSG attacked and attacked but found Lopes in the Lyon net in their path. He made a good number of saves to keep PSG at bay. He even saved Zlatan’s penalty, but the Swede was given a reprieve when, due to encroachment in the penalty, he got to take it again. Second time round Lopes was beaten and the PSG became the second team to take points from the Gerland.

Jordan Amavi (Nice) LB

Nice welcomed Nantes to the Allianz Riviera on Sunday afternoon and it was not a game that will live long in the memory. No goals and only one real notable incident when Nice had a goal wrongly disallowed for offside. Nantes have only found the net once in 2015 and never looked like doing it on Sunday.

Tiago Ilori (Bordeaux) CB

On a very cold night in the French alps Bordeaux prevailed in the tough conditions. Bordeaux took the lead early on and held on to take all the points. Bordeaux climb up to the sixth place in the table on the back of this result meanwhile Evian remain in the drop-zone two points from safety.

Sebastien Squillaci (Bastia) CB

Bastia took on bottom club Metz at home on Saturday night and the home side marched on with all three points. Metz were reduced to ten men after fifty minutes when Guido Milan picked up his second yellow card and thus second red card in as many matches. From then on it was all Bastia, two goals and thus the victory arrived.

Dennis Appiah (Caen) RB

Caen are flying at the moment. Four wins in a row has seen them rocket up to fourteenth in the table. A comfortable win over Toulouse thanks to a goal either side of half time meant their visitors on Saturday are just two points above the relegation zone.

Gelson Fernandes (Rennes) CM

Rennes entertained Marseille on a sunny afternoon in Brittany with neither side able to claim all the three points. Both sides had chances to do just that but they just could not do so. Ola Toivennen scored his first goal since November in the first half before on-loan debutant Lucas Ocampos scored fifteen minutes after taking to the field, turning in from a corner.

Idrissa Gueye (Lille) CM

Lille chalked up their second away win of the season and their first since August at Montpellier. Goal-scoring has not been Lille’s forte this season yet they were able to belie their reputation as they scored earlier on through a Nolan Roux tap in and then on-loan Rony Lopes doubled the lead in the second half.

Yohan Mollo (Saint Etienne) AM

Friday night’s game burst into life in the last twenty minutes. Saint Etienne held a two goal lead before Lens came back to take a 3-2 lead with ten minute remaining. Sainté meanwhile were able to equalise late on. Les Verts second goal came from a defensive mishap which allowed Mollo the easiest of finishes.

Jeremy Pied (Guingamp) RW

After their December scalp of PSG at home Monaco can now be added to the list of teams to fall at the Roudourou. A scrappy first half saw the home side contentiously reduced to ten men, showing a great deal of character to come out in the second half and attack. They took the lead shortly after the break when Leveque turned in from Beauvue’s cross cum shot. Five straight home wins for the Bretons now and the end of Monaco’s good run.

Raphael Guerreiro (Lorient) LW

Lorient turned things round into spectacularly at Reims on Saturday. They were one down at half time before three unanswered goals allowed them to take home the points to Brittany. The first goal was a wonderful outside of the boot finish from Gassama from the edge of the box. Lorient’s standout performer of the season is the Portuguese wide-man Guerreiro who was at it again with a thumping 20 yard strike to give his side the lead.

Yoann Touzghar (Lens) CF

Coming off the bench to great effect the lens striker Touzghar gave his side not only the point they would eventually claim but they were not far from taking all three points. A madcap second half saw the Lens man take to the field before on the hour mark his long range shot found the corner of the net. Seven minutes later he would have the chance to equalise from the penalty spot which he duly did with aplomb.

S.S.

http://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2015/ligue-1-team-of-the-week-24-201415/

http://www.givemesport.com/507400-tiago-ilori-helps-bordeaux-move-to-second-in-ligue-1

Danielnino00:
"The squad members" are those who have worked hard since the beginning of the qualifiers and blended well with the team..
We can't just allow some players to walk into the team and displace others simply because they are foreign born.. Even Tammy Abraham can't be assured of an automatic starting shirt should he decide to play for us.


Opari

So, Agbo and Awaziem have blended well and worked hard since the beginning of the qualifiers, ba!?

I see. The South Africans had a different story in Uyo.

adegwurulez:
Agbo played 7 games in his first season for Granada, and 21games in his second season. Same Granada your boy got 9caps, he has played in all of standard liege's games this season. All these under 2years, compared to your boy's 6years.

Awaziem 10games in 2016 for Porto, this season he has only been absent due to red card for nantes. It is sure looking like he's going to get enough games this season.

Oh so your boy was out injured, yeah? Pray tell, the experience you spoke about, was it garnered in the sick Bay?

Your boy is so good, yet none of the 3countries he's eligible for has called him even for a friendly game.

When you read the @bolded you should know he is the initiator of goal post shifting, and I answered him according to the way he put it.

bossto:
Hahahaha...you are really making progress!!.....it will definitely get to a point that you be so confused that you won't understand what the argument is all about......That is forgiveness for you bro!!

adegwurulez:
I see you've shifted from experience to talent. We're making progress.

Hahahahahah!

Na still part of experience na.

Abi you wan make give another player of the week wey Tiago Ilori dey?

Danielnino00:
Funniest comment I've read all day .. Oga relax na..Nobody has talked about the aforementioned players na . For now our CB options are Balogun,Ekong,Awazeim,Agbo and Omeruo.

"In Icon79 voice" opari

Hahahahahah! I want to see all squad member of Super Eagles play before they go to the world Cup. No Sidon make I go World cup.

Danielnino00:
I'm not saying he isnt a Nigerian or he isn't good enough.. I'm just wondering why you are mentioning him.

@Bloded if he isn't ready for the physical pattern of the EPL,what makes u think he will be ready for the physical nature of African football??
Abeg the boy is another Nedum Onuoha...

If we are looking for a back up CB for Ekong and Balogun, we have Agbo,Awazeim, and the much loved Omeruo We might as well recall Godfrey Obaobona and Efe Ambrose

He is now ready because he currently playing in the more physical championship.

Agbo and Awaziem don't have a claim to a shirt in the National team. They are not even considered part of the team yet.

They must fight for the position alongside Tiago Ilori, Jordan Torunarigha, Felix Uduokhai and Brian Idowu.

adegwurulez:
Agbo played 7 games in his first season for Granada, and 21games in his second season. Same Granada your boy got 9caps, he has played in all of standard liege's games this season. All these under 2years, compared to your boy's 6years.

Awaziem 10games in 2016 for Porto, this season he has only been absent due to red card for nantes. It is sure looking like he's going to get enough games this season.

Oh so your boy was out injured, yeah? Pray tell, the experience you spoke about, was it garnered in the sick Bay?

Your boy is so good, yet none of the 3countries he's eligible for has called him even for a friendly game.

Why did he get 9 games? is it because he's not good enough?

If yes, how did the so good boy made LA Liga team of the week before he got injured?

https://www.reddit.com/r/LiverpoolFC/comments/1y95y8/tiago_ilori_makes_the_team_of_the_week_for_la_liga/

Oga! Separate talent from injury and you can have sane argument.

Danielnino00:
Why are you mentioning Tiago Ilori?
what's special about him?? He would have played for Portugal senior team had his move to Liverpool been successful.
it's not every player with Nigerian heritage that we should be calling to play for us na. Let's preserve some dignity please.

Is he not a Nigerian? Abi others are more Nigerian than him? Abeg, spare the boy.

How can you know what is special about him when you have not followed him?

What is special about Balogun and Ekong?

Bros, if he is not good enough Liverpool no go buy am. He was not ready for the physical pattern of the Premier League.

Currently, Tiago Ilori is playing for one of the promotion contender in the Championship.

adegwurulez:
Lol... I don't do stats, they are most times misleading, but you came under the false assumptions that Tiago Ilori is a better choice for CB than Awaziem and Agbo, citing his "experience'.

A deep look at this claim proves it to be false. One simply does not garner experience sitting on the bench which is what Ilori has been doing.

9games for Granada, 12 for Bordeaux, 0 for Aston Villa can hardly be termed playing from Portugal to Spain to France.

He didn't sit on the bench but was always out due to injuries.

komekn:
As you probably know the left back position has progressed to the more commonly referred to term LWB (left wing back).

As a consequence left wingers have fused into the LWB position. As it is essentially a more defensive minded winger.

With this in mind I would say Seyi Ojo Liverpool fc currently at Fulham fc with Sone Aluko.

On a personal note, is Sheyi Ojo interested in playing for Nigeria.

adegwurulez:
Lol... I don't do stats, they are most times misleading, but you came under the false assumptions that Tiago Ilori is a better choice for CB than Awaziem and Agbo, citing his "experience'.

A deep look at this claim proves it to be false. One simply does not garner experience sitting on the bench which is what Ilori has been doing.

9games for Granada, 12 for Bordeaux, 0 for Aston Villa can hardly be termed playing from Portugal to Spain to France.

Point of correction, 15 games for Bordeaux, 14 for Sporting Lisbon, 3 for Liverpool and currently 12 for Reading-fc.

Where did he play them? In Somalia?

Now, show me how easy it is to say Agbo and Awaziem better choice or experienced than Tiago.

Give me their breakdown as you did for Tiago.

adegwurulez:
20 of Ilori's 53 games were for sporting B team so I don't get your point

Where are you pulling your statistics from?

Tiago Ilori is more experienced than Agbo and Awaziem. Why?

He has played in the top leagues from Portugal to Spain and France.

adegwurulez:
Awaziem has 72 games in 2 years, Agbo has played 87games in 3years

Where? Bhuuuhahaha!

In Segunda Liga and Segunda B!?

tbaba1234:
Has Ilori agreed to play for Nigeria? Awaziem is currently playing at a higher level.

Did we approach him to ascertain his stance?

Tiago Ilori already played there and is currently playing in the Championship which is equally or better than some leagues.

adegwurulez:
Which experience? Experience of playing 53games in 6years?

And how many games have both players in question played?

adegwurulez:
Pray tell, who would tomori, otigba, ilori, osede displace from that central defence? The other players you mentioned can slug it out for the LB position, that's where we need reinforcements and it's what I've been singing.

Tiago Ilori is more experienced than Agbo and Awaziem.

We don't even have back up self.

Apart from Balogun and Ekong, which other CB do we have?

CHELSEA AND ENGLAND SHOULD OPPOSE NIGERIA’S TAMMY ABRAHAM PURSUIT

The latest rumours circulating about a young Chelsea player d[/b]o not deal with transfers or loans but with national team allegiance. If Nigeria are truly chasing Tammy Abraham, both England and Chelsea should be furious.

Tammy Abraham’s decision to play for either England or Nigeria matters deeply not only to the country he chooses, but to Chelsea FC as well. Whether you approach the question from logic or emotion, you reach the same very certain and very firm conclusion: Tammy Abraham should turn down every single advance from Nigeria and stick with England.

The first and most obvious point is that Tammy Abraham – though of Nigerian heritage – was born in Camberwell, London. He was born and raised and reared in the United Kingdom. Yes, his parents are of Nigerian heritage. But at what point does that stop mattering? Every person in the world can trace their bloodline back to some far-flung destination, yet that does not determine their nationality.

Abraham was born in London. He has been at Chelsea since he was eight years old. He did not move to England as a young boy. Tammy Abraham was born the second of October 1997 in perfect damn London, England. He is a wonderful young footballer and a funny, charming young man. He does not need to be peddled by some older, cynical managers and footballing bureaucrats in a strategic chess game of prospect-catching.

MUST READ: Chelsea's 3-4-3 alternatives: Is 3-1-4-2 the future for Antonio Conte's Blues?
The fact that Nigeria are even considering this is exactly what is wrong with international football in the first place. International football is not there to strategically pick your way to progress professionally, and it should not be about cynical attempts to further a brand. It is about pride in the country of your birth. Abraham is from England. Let him be from England.

It was wrong when Victor Moses changed nationalities, and when Diego Costa did it as well. This sort of behavior is to the detriment of the wonderful patriotic moments that make international football great.

If not simply for national pride, Chelsea should hope that Tammy Abraham plays for England for one simple reason: the African Cup of Nations. AFCON takes place in the middle of the Premier League season. If Tammy Abraham is going to be as good as people suspect he will be, then Chelsea need to keep him around.

RELATED STORY: Chelsea's Tammy Abraham must weigh depth, potential in Nigeria offer
Abraham draws comparisons to Ian Wright, and in younger age group trials outshone Kylian Mbappe. Abraham will make Harry Kane look like an incomplete and poor striker in a few years’ time, while taking a legitimate shot at Chelsea’s all-time goals record. The last thing Chelsea need is Abraham gone for a month and a half during a key part of the season.

AFCON is a wonderful footballing tournament played at a hysterically terrible time of year. In many ways it devalues some of the footballers in it, and makes it harder for some clubs to invest in them. Having Abraham play for Nigeria simply lowers his value for Chelsea FC. They will not have him around as often while he increases his risk of injury by playing in a full international tournament in less-than-spectacular conditions in the middle of a Premier League and Champions League season.

NEXT: Chelsea should start Tiemoue Bakayoko against Leicester as prep for Champions League
This move would not benefit anybody except the Nigerian Football Federation. Abraham is a phenomenal young player. He should be setting his sights high on success with the England national team – the country of his birth – not strategically trying to win caps playing for a country he has at most visited on emotional vacations.

http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/901371251?-18946:4882:0

adegwurulez:
Don't be too mechanical, my friend.

National team football is much more than just statistics, other factors come into play. Granted, Martins may have some impressive stats but still might not be suited for this team.

Ikechukwu uche also raked some impressive stats at villareal, leading to calls for his inclusion to the world Cup. Keshi heeded those calls and took uche to the world Cup but uche couldn't add anything to the team, Infact Ideye would have been a better pick.

If we were to rely solely on stats, our attack to the world Cup will be filled with players like onuachu, Bonaventure etc not even martins

It seems you don't know what you are talking about.

Ikechuckwu Uche go World cup!?