₦airaland Forum

TOP TACKLERS (NIGERIANS) IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP

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Rank (Overall rank) -- Total Successful Tackles
1. Dominic Iorfa (#19) -- 89
2. Josh Onomah (#57) -- 66

TOP NIGERIANS IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP (RANKED based on WhoScored Ratings)

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Rank (Overall rank)

1. Eberechi Eze (#4)
2. Ovie Ejaria (#20)
3. Tosin Adarabioyo (#53)
4. Sammy Ameobi (#63)
5. Semi Ajayi (#96)
6. Bright Osayi Samuel (#100)
7. Dominic Iorfa (#113)
8. Josh Onomah (#158)
9. Luke Amos (#294)
10. Adedeji Oshilaja (#315)

Cc Komekn

Josh Oghenetega Peter Onomah is named to the WhoScored Championship PlayOff XI (SF First-Leg)
The highest rated outfield player.

SE needs more midfield additions anyway

komekn:
Agreed.

Them plenty oh across the English football academies, on the verge of breaking into the first team.

For some reason not too many striker have come out to show face.

I’m judging Kalu by his NT performances. Granted the just concluded season was not one of his best.

jihday:
Comot Kalu, take Moses to the left and bring in Chuks finish

Add to those Michael Olise

komekn:
Being in a top league does not automatically make you a top player. You can be anonymous and almost a spectator.

I would rather have the most outstanding consistent players in the Championship than a players in a moi moi team in La Liga who has done nothing and will do nothing.

Eze, Tega and Ovie are outstanding players in thier league.

You could add Iorfa and Adarabioyo to that list in the context of defence. And on the wing we have Osayi coming in to stake a claim.

Finally, Scottish Premiership league may have a low rating. however the club Rangers has a much much higher rating than Huesca in European club ratings.

If you have the time look at the players and value of Sunderland and Hulls players and compare to Huesca and you will see gap that will suprise. And these are essential league one clubs now.

Me I no dey waste my time dey argue player A vs B. I go focus that energy praise performing players. That’s progressive. No time for negative energy.

I don dey wait u since. Welcome back!!

forgiveness:
As usual.

Israeli 2nd tier as at last season

mkrest:
wow,he must be good, where does he play and how old ?

these are experimental formations.

Subzero047:
With Iwobi and Chukwueze as Wingbacks?

West Ham will step up chase for QPR's £20m-rated Eberechi Eze
TheGuardian | 20mins ago

No 10 also of interest to Palace, Villa, Newcastle and West Brom
Hammers look to offload Felipe Anderson and Manuel Lanzini

West Ham have stepped up their pursuit of Eberechi Eze, with David Moyes determined to win the race to sign the Queens Park Rangers forward.

QPR are holding out for as much as £20m for Eze, who is also attracting interest from Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Newcastle and West Bromwich Albion. Although West Ham are unlikely to be able to spend heavily, they have indicated they are prepared to make funds available to sign the 22-year-old.

Eze is one of the most exciting young players in the Championship. He is at his best in the No 10 position and finished the season with 14 goals, including a stunning effort when QPR ended their season with the 2-2 draw that led to West Brom winning automatic promotion last week.

Moyes is a big admirer of the London-born Eze, who made his debut for QPR in 2017. West Ham’s manager is unconvinced by some of his attackers and hopes to increase his budget by selling Felipe Anderson and Manuel Lanzini. Albian Ajeti is close to joining Celtic on loan after he failed to score or start a Premier League game since signing from Basel for £8m last year.

West Ham, who are determined not to sell Declan Rice to Chelsea, are aiming to recruit young, hungry players from the lower leagues. They signed Jarrod Bowen from Hull for £22m in January and the winger played a key role in them avoiding relegation. Moyes has also targeted the QPR full-back Ryan Manning and is interested in the Wigan Athletic defenders Cédric Kipré and Antonee Robinson.

West Ham face plenty of competition for Eze, particularly from Palace. Roy Hodgson’s side have been tracking him for a long time and do not want to miss out.

The Hammers could switch their focus to Brentford’s Saïd Benrahma if Eze ends up elsewhere. That is largely likely to depend on whether the Algerian winger helps them to win the Championship play-offs. Brentford are 1-0 down going into the home leg of their semi-final against Swansea on Wednesday.

3-5-2

Subzero047:
What kind of formation is this?

At the end of the day, who win when we meet na the koko..

mank1234:
It's easier for African French players to make it in Europe compared to their English counterpart. It doesn't mean they are better in terms of quality. The reason is because, they are easily absorbed in France because of their policy of assimilation; from there getting to other European countries is easy.

Quality for quality we are better.

Formation4

The most exciting Nigerian I've seen in goal for a while now.

mkrest:
excuse who is the GK?

lol

charlesemeka85:
U didn't add nwakali

Formation3

Formation2

FormationA

ok no wahala

kellycute:
na you dey see am as fight.

no be quarrel. most of your posts here involve fight.

kellycute:
quote me directly and say that to me. Just because I asked em to stop associating the team successes on "luck and poor form of their opponent" but to give credit to the team cos they earned it for themselves is now tantamount to me "being naturally angry" according to you. Na wa for some people here.

Nigeria would love Bukayo Saka to play for the Super Eagles, but refuse to chase him
Colin Udoh | Special to ESPN | 1.08AM

Young, talented, able to slot into multiple positions on the pitch, Arsenal youngster Bukayo Saka is the perfect example of the foreign-born player of Nigerian origins that the Super Eagles need.

But in what has become a change in approach, the Nigeria Football Federation says it will be up to the player -- and others with dual nationality who are eligible to represent Nigeria -- to decide whether to represent the country.

NFF President Amaju Pinnick said in an Instagram Live chat with the federation's official channel, that players would not be begged to represent Nigeria.

"There are many players that play like Bukayo Saka in Nigeria. We don't want to go begging any player," Pinnick said.

Pinnick's statement is indicative of the NFF's new strategy, following criticism of their methods of approaching dual nationals and elevating them over home-grown players.

An NFF source told ESPN that the new policy is simple: Talented dual nationals who have the required quality would be informed that they are welcome to play for Nigeria if they so choose.

But after that initial approach, the choice of representing Nigeria will be down to them. And the NFF will only engage again if the player reaches out, especially those -- like England-born Saka -- who have already represented one country at junior level and are looking to switch.

The source added: "The Super Eagles is a very prestigious brand and we need to keep it that way. Just because a player is born or raised abroad does not mean they should automatically be invited.

"We will monitor them, and those who are good enough and fit into the areas that the team needs will be approached, but after that, it all be up to them to come back to us if they are interested.

"If they do, we all work with them through the process of change of nationality. If they don't, we will wish them well."

Saka is one such player who ticks every single box. Over and above his quality and versatility, the teen also fits perfectly into a position of need for the Super Eagles, at left back.

In his four years and change as Super Eagles coach, the left back position is one that Gernot Rohr has struggled to fill. Elderson Echiejile, Bryan Idowu, and lately Jamilu Collins have all had shots at being the regular occupants of the position.

So far, Collins is the only one who has gained some measure of the German's trust, with Ola Aina filling in when needed. However, sources with the team have told ESPN that the coach continues to explore options.

And this is where Saka would fit in. Not only has he shown great defensive ability in his breakout season with Arsenal, the 18-year-old has also shown offensive capabilities, with four goals and 18 assists.

Nigeria team sources told ESPN that Saka has been approached, and it is now up to him to decide. It is a decision that the youngster is currently wrestling with.

"It's a tough choice," Saka told SkySports. "I'm happy to have represented England at youth level but I'm also proud of my Nigerian heritage from my parents.

"We haven't been picked by any team so it's about staying humble and when the time comes we'll make the decision."

Considering the quality he could bring to the side, could it be a good idea for Rohr to hand him a call up in order to speed up that decision process?

Former West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City forward Peter Odemwingie, who was born in Uzbekistan but chose to represent Nigeria, says the NFF are on the right track.

"I'm a believer that anything forced or manipulated in life never ends up good," Odemwingie told ESPN.

"The choice must come from those players. As they said, the door is open, but it has to come from their hearts and it has to be full commitment without looking back.

"If he says hundred percent, I'm ready, I want to play for Nigeria, even if I'm in Real Madrid and World Player of the Year. If he says that himself, then you know, you can cap him now."

Odemwingie pointed to his own experience and says players who decide to play for Nigeria must feel a genuine connection to the country.

He added: "It depends on how the person feels. It has to be a decision made happily. For me, my dad had no other words than it's Nigeria and luckily for him, my mom also loves Nigeria. It depends on the relationship you have with your parents, how connected you are, have you been visiting?

"Growing up, I had six years I spent as a kid in Nigeria, I watched a lot of our games on tapes. So, I had already built a connection and a bond to our national team, watching the Japan under 17 World Cup, watching the DVDs of Olympics 96, France 98, how we celebrated.

"All those things they build up inside of you, and you will want to be part of that. When you celebrate those moments, even if it means going back watching videos, you kind of feel like you want to be part of that, or try to bring that kind of happiness to the nation, then it's an easier decision.

"Obviously, some Nigerian boys will choose differently, like Tammy Abraham. I don't think it has anything to do with lack of interest for his roots or his Nigerian background. You have to respect everybody's choice.

"But I will advise guys like that to play for Nigeria."

If he makes the decision to play for Nigeria, Saka could be a game-changing addition to the team. But the NFF will not be pulling out the stops to get him, and that, it would appear, is the right strategy.

some people are just angry naturally and it shows.

Edopesin:
Abeg don't bring that tone here, must you always look for quarrel?

“It is not even about qualification for the World Cup, we should even be aiming to win the World Cup. We should be for Africa, what Brazil is for South America, always qualifying and present at the World Cup" -- Odegbami

Alan Hutton on Balogun signing

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“I was kind of stunned when I saw it, I looked on my phone and then bang, signing, it kind of came out of nowhere.

“We spoke about them wanting the fourth centre-half, I think it was a priority to bring someone in. He’s 32 now, he’s experienced and I know he’s not played so much in the last few years but he’s an international player who’s played abroad – he knows the game.

“I think he will be more of a backup option but a good option to have.”

ROFL.

jihday:
I don laugh tire . London brought up Daddy showkey killed me

This was on goal.com yesterday, but I totally ignored posting it for obvious reasons. All the best in LaLiga next season.

Edopesin:
Promoted Nwakali dreams of Super Eagles invitation, move to Barcelona

https://guardian.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Kelechi-Nwakali-487x274.jpg

Former Nigeria U-17 national team captain, Kelechi Nwakali, still dreams of taking his game to the highest level.The 2015 U-17 World Cup winner just started playing regularly in Europe five years after leading Nigeria to the title in Chile.

While his mates like Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen, are commanding rave reviews in Europe, Nwakali just gained promotion to the Spanish La Liga from the second division with Huesca. It has not been the type of career many pundits predicted for the lad when he became the best U-17 player in the world in 2015.

But now that his career seems to be stepping up, he does not want to let go.Nwakali wants to return to the international scene with the Super Eagles, while working hard to attract the attention of his dream club, FC Barcelona.

Speaking at the weekend, Nwakali said he is now ready for the Super Eagles, adding that Huesca’s promotion has now given him the opportunity to play against the big boys once again.

He noted that playing football in the top league has been his career aspiration as a young footballer, saying, “I am delighted that my club has gained promotion to the Spanish La Liga. It was not easy for my team at the second division because of the quality of teams at that level.

“I was only able to play in five games because I had Spanish visa issues. My focus now is to work hard to play regularly when the league resumes.” Nwakali, who has watched over the years as his mates, Chukwueze and Osimhen have cemented their positions in the Super Eagles team, believes it is only a matter of time before he joins them.

“I believe when Coach Gernot Rohr needs me, he will invite me. I speak with him at times and I know my time will soon come.

“I am delighted that my team mates, Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze are doing well in Super Eagles. My aspiration is to join them in the team. They understand my kind of play and we connect very well on the pitch,” he said. Nwakali also revealed that his childhood desire is to play for Barcelona FC some day.

"I have always hoped to play for Barcelona FC some day as a young footballer. But in life, you must start somewhere to achieve your dream. I am delighted that I am now a player in the Spanish top league.

“Giving my best to my club remains the priority now. As a young footballer, I aspire to play like Kanu Nwankwo and Yaya Toure because I fancy their style of play.”

In the current Super Eagles team, Nwakali picks Oghenekaro Etebo as his ideal player, saying, “His dedication and commitment to national team duties delights me. My stay under Coach Emmanuel Amuneke in the Golden Eaglets team has prepared me for everything I am facing now in my career.”

Guardian

that's where I wanted to bring the discussion to, by posting all those videos. Which players will give us the best chemistry upfront? For analytical minds only though.

IDENNAA:
A day will come when. IHEANACHO-OSIMHEN-CHUKWUEZE-EJUKE will be our front men......fiaaa!

Josh Onomah goal for England U21

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yja1GOoA42Y

Simon!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6lwqXlL2Ew

Kalu!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7MmrV-43Fo

Maja!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp49OZFOTzE