₦airaland Forum

orriyomi33:
FIFA considering holding the world cup every two(2) years. How do you all see this?

It's bad enough that they've made it 48 teams, making it biannual will devalue it

Omanambala:
Pascal Karibe Ojigwe was a fantastic DM marshal , not a convert. He won U17 with Kanu and Oruma set, had a decent career with Monchenglabac and Leverkusen. He had the same fate with Oruma. The presence of Oliseh reduced his appearance with SE.

Another excellent DM was Christopher Justice who played 2002 world cup. These are natural DM not converts. I want natural DM who is not just about tackles and blocks.

Justice Christopher?? I'm certain na complete sport you dey use watch ball. Oliseh didn't block Ojigwe, at least Oruma was always making the team and got alot of invite but Ojigwe hardly got invited to the national team had a poor career in Germany too couldn't largely a bench warmer/reserve player

Omanambala:
Azubike is a natural DM , who can play CM and even AM with all the combative feature. Its quite sad that he has been unlucky but we have some young bloods coming up.

Zuby will hold the ball and operate the midfield seamlessly. That's a talented player , right there. Not taking anything away from Ndidi but he doesn't have that "thing" inherent in a natural born midfielders.

Genuine question, when was the last time you watched Azu play football?

Beloved3:
His best seasons were within 2014 to 2017.

He scored 18 goals combined in the champions League at that period. His stats in the local league and cup games were also up to standard during that period.

Those were his best times and he was clearly world class then but not any longer. Sorry he dropped off the scale.

Does that make any sense now?

name 5 CF better than Suarez (please don't mention the big 2)

Omanambala:
Based on the role he currently plays....na make shift DM the guy be. Originally, he was just a plain defender. Do you remember what happened when una coach Rohr tried to make Ajayi a DM....disaster no happen?

Ndidi can't get any better and this is because he doesn't have the skill set to do a complete DM's job. I don't have anything with the guy but I don't like players without finesse.

Expecting Ndidi to become better is like expecting Iwobi to suddenly become a midfield maestro. Not gonna happen.

Nnewi football analyst

andrewbaba44:
Some people Dey start Wetin we no fit finish

Suarez champions league record is not even good so he is not world class

Watch as the guy will run away from this simple talk

I swear, if we start bringing out different players he go tire, so Harry Kane too isn't world class because he hardly play champions league football

Beloved3:
Great, I would actually agree with you that he's above average but not world class.

For me, a world class player is one that is able to sustain brilliant performance and numbers at the highest career stages i.e World cup, Champions league etc.

So once a player has had big numbers consistently in the local league, cup games (and world cup of applicable), and has had great numbers in the champions League as well for at least three seasons, he is world class!

Typical example for an attacker (bar long term injuries);

Local league games for the past three seasons =
Must have scored atleast 20 goals in each season

and

Champions League appearance for the past three seasons =
Must have scored atleast 20 goals (or close) combined in all three seasons.

And

Cup games (and world cup if applicable) during the past three seasons =
Must have scored atleast 20 goals combined in all three season.


Based in these standard, Jamie Vardy isn't world class!

Mbappe is world class!
Mbappe stats in the past three season;

Ligue1 = Has scored over 20 close or close to that in each of the past 3 season.
Check

Champions League = has scored close to 20 goals combined in the past 3 seasons
Check.

Cup games and world cup = scored close to 20 goals combined
Check.

Result = World class!


The above stat is a reference just for strikers.
Midfielders, defenders goal keepers have their separate reference stats for categorising a player as world class.

I really do not have the time to write up the reference stats for midfielders, defenders etc.

But really, we here need to have our own definition of a world class player as this has been a widely used term without clear definition.

I just threw a first stab at it and mine can be used as a preliminary.

We should make the definition, modify it, agree and sticky it somewhere as a standard. So when next anyone will call a player world class he can first consult on our standard

P.S. Ndidi would have to feature consistently in the big games and do what he does best in the world stage before he can be confirmed as world class. For now he isn't.

Errmmm, with this your metric if we open Suarez champions league record that means we'll say he's not a world class player o

Omanambala:
That's a vague question but I will try and be concise. Ndidi only/mostly excel with tackles and blocks. His passing game needs more improvements to reach world class. He is simply above average and I am being nice.

I am sorry, I don't rate Ndidi very high but he can still prove me wrong.

A DM not a CM, do you expect him to be pinging fabregas-esque passes? At least everybody agree that casemiro and Gueye are top tier talent, can they throw this type of pass you dream of? Make we dey realistic abeg

Olulong:
I wouldn't say Moses Simon has been poor though

True but I think he only picked up recently he didn't start the season strongly (to be fair to him tho I think Nantes are having a poor season)

maidaboi:
The only winger called up from french is Moses Simon and he had a better season compare to Ejuke the players we talking about are Onyekuru and Marcus

Simon Kalu? I guess Marcus will be dropped from the final list, no way he merits the invitation

andrewbaba44:
How was ejuke season poor as if any of our winger have been something else

aside Chuks the rest too are having a poor season but the difference is those ones are key members of the team plus they play in the French league which is rated higher than the Russian league

edi287:
Agreed. Rohr really dey do this guy strong thing.

how? This guy have had a poor season (just started picking up a bit of form)

Utonwanne:
Daryl Dike called by US


Chapter closed.

not sure we were ever interested

Ppogbae:
If Leicester fail to secure a CL spot, the blood is on Rodger's hands

as it stand it is no more in their hands, they have to do fasting and prayer if they want to qualify

chrisooblog:
Maybe he's always wanted to play for Spain. Just looking up his profile he has strong Basque roots and his formative years were in Spain.

France hasn't lacked good CBs so maybe that is why Laporte wasn't chased like that.

he waited so long for France but apparently Deschamp isn't a fan of his

TheSuperNerd:
Talking about fear and reality. There were two realities from the last time France and Nigeria played also.


France vs Nigeria (2009 friendly in St.Ettienne)

France's Starting XI: S.Mandanda, J.Escude, S.Squillaci, Patrice Evra, R.Fanni, Patrick Vieira, A.Diarra, Franck Ribery, Loic Remy, Karim Benzema, Nicolas Anelka.

Subs: Hugo Lloris, J.Boumsong, Eric Abidal, Bacary Sagna, Philippe Mexes, Florent Malouda, Yohann Gourcuff, Sidney Govou, Jeremy Toulalan, A.Diaby, Andre Pierre Gignac, C.Carrasso




Nigeria's Starting XI: Vincent Enyeama, Olubayo Adefemi, Elderson Echiejile, Sam Sodje, Seyi Olofinjana, Dickson Etuhu, Kalu Uche, Nwankwo Kanu, Joseph Akpala, Ikechukwu Uche, Peter Osaze Odemwingie.

Subs: Austin Whose, Onyekachi Apam, Danny Shitty, Yusuf Mohammed, Obinna Nwaneri, Sabi Kaita, Atanda Ayila Yusuf, Dele Adeleye, Michael Eneramo, Victor Obinna Nsofor.


Now if we look at the starting Lineups of both sides that day, it is clear that on paper, we stood Zero chance.

Number 1 reality: France had much better quality than us and were gonna maul us.

Number 2 reality: Shockingly, it didn't happen. Nigeria ended up the victors


Just one of the countless lessons of the beautiful game.

in France defence they were on a downward spiral that cummulated in that disgraceful outing in South Africa about one year later

TheSuperNerd:
Most may not remember this lad but he played in La Liga as a teen about 2-3 seasons ago I think.

Just recently wrapped up the regular season with Deportivo La Coruna in the Spanish third tier alongside Uche Agbo.

A young defensive prospect.

wait, Agbo is now in tier 3? Chei

TheSuperNerd:
Monday and Tuesday Football Specials: Nigerian players who shone across Europe - May 17-18





5. Kelechi Iheanacho (SS-FW) Goal (Leicester City): Played 30mins+ off the bench

Chelsea FC 2-1 Leicester City (EPL)

*80.0% passing accuracy, 1 key pass, 2/5 ground duels won, 2/3 dribbling success, 2 shots on target, 1 shot off target

*Becomes First ever player in EPL History to bag goals on every day of the week in a single season. Craig David Special.

*Scorer of the 100th goal among the five top Nigerian Strikers in Europe this season (Onuachu, Iheanacho, Simy, Osimhen and Moffi)

*12 goals + 2 assists in 24 league games (15 starts).

**In all comps, 19 goals + 7 assists in 38 games (24 starts).

**19 goals + 8 assists for club and country so far in 20/21.




6. Wilfred Ndidi (CDM) Assist + Top Midfield performance (Leicester City): Played 90mins+

Chelsea FC 2-1 Leicester City (EPL)

*86.8% passing accuracy, 5 tackles, 2 Interceptions, 1 clearance, 1 blocked shot, 100% Accurate Long balls (1/1), 1/2 aerial duels won, 7/12 ground duels, 100% dribbling success (1/1), 1 key pass, 1 big chance created, was fouled once.

*1 goal, 4 Assists, 7 cleansheets in 25 league games (24 starts)

[[/i]

iheanacho's numbers are crazy, at first it looked like a purple patch but now even a blind man will agree that he's in red hot form. Ndidi's number isn't good enough at least according to our football expert, as a DM he should be dropping 10 goals and 15 assists

andrewbaba44:
Benzema finally making the euros ,so happy for him

Another player I am glad that made the most is Ben yedder

What does moussa sissoko offers to the French team ?

Rohr and Deschamps be like father and son, they are very loyal to players

daveP:
Vardy bought at 1m

His evaluation should be around 30 by now. And twice that after that EPL trophy.

arsenal almost bought him for 30mill but I think he's at the point where he can't be sold/bought again

andrewbaba44:
Wilfred ndidi has 3 assist in the epl this season as a DM

That’s impressive

Where is komekn self

all assists were for iheanacho

12large1:
Kelechi should get out of leicester because it's clear that Rodgers don't like him. 1 bad game and he is already out of first team 11 while vardy has been out of form since March.

no vex but he just extended his contract

daveP:


Haba na

Na fear of Benz make you do our "reliable defence" like that?

Colet is the Theme.

But remember that friendly we beat France that year. Osaze's goal. That defence was shitti*r na!!

Akpala I think

andrewbaba44:
SouthGate is not that bad nah

maybe sha but England can do far better than they are doing

andrewbaba44:
They are not still bang average players

Vermaelen few games he managed at Barca where good games ,he was always on injury bed ,Vermaelen was a world class players

Na these same defenders play 2018 World Cup for your information,only Kompany is missing there

their midfield and attack is good na plus Martinez best form of defence is attack so no plenty pressure on defence

andrewbaba44:
This is Ferdinand England euros squad ,his prediction ooo ,I am glad he rates saka

We can gladly say that England got no world class CB

Or is any cb on this list world class

they'll likely fail because they have a poor coach

andrewbaba44:
Vertonghen has left spurs nah ,he was a regular all his time there so what are you saying and he is 35 and are you expecting to play like when he is 27 ? Vertonghen played about 250 epl games for spurs and was always regular during his time

Vermaelen was one of the best CB while at arsenal ,No cap ,leave injury and talk football

For example Will you call hazard bang average because that one self can’t play 5 games this days without getting injured

These guys might not be on top as before due to their age but saying they are bang average is pure trash

Vermaelen left arsenal how many centuries ago? Hardly played at Barcelona was shocked to hear he's still a footballer sef, Vertoghen have lost a lot of abilities but yes he's still a decent player. That he's average doesn't mean he's poor but I repeat none of them can play for any ambitious European club even if Toby leave Spurs today I don't think any club with proper ambition will go for him

andrewbaba44:
Vertonghen alderweireld vermaelen meunier are not average players

You dont know average players

Small time we go hear say super eagles defence pass belgium own since dem be bang average

Which Vertoghen that was binned by spurs? Or vermaelen that can't play 5 straight games to save his life? P.S Nigerian defenders are below average, I'm not even comparing them

andrewbaba44:
Bang average

Make your super eagles go play them nah

And besides 4 of the defenders listed there went to the World Cup so how come you are calling them bang average ?

If I am not mistaken only company is missing here because he is retired

still doesn't change the fact that the defenders aren't average players, none of them will start in a top European team

Subzero047:
Bang average, I wonder how this squad is no 1 in the world

their midfield and attack is good, with debruyne and Lukaku they have one of the best attack in the world

Subzero047:
Belgium squad for the Euros

bang average especially in defence

forgiveness:
This guy just Dey score like say e easy like that.

his positioning is very good