₦airaland Forum

abi he get double mind? lol much talk of the 3 Lions Golden era.

Daniel Adejo's stats don't look bad in Serie B last year. How does the Italian Serie B compare to other leagues?

junnyjake:
Why this boy matter de drag like this na?

Them Ekong, Moses, Iwobi own been no hard like this o

Premier League duo Brighton & Hove Albion and Stoke City are lining up a move for Queens Park Rangers defender Nedum Onuoha, reports today’s print edition of The Daily Mirror (page 52).

The 30-year-old moved to Loftus Road all the way back in 2012 after a long association with Premier League side Manchester City, and has since gone on to become a stalwart in the Rangers backline.

In fact, the former England Under-21 international has missed just two of their last 92 Championship matches, and his fine form in the QPR defence has reportedly attracted interest from some clubs in the top tier, namely Chris Hughton’s Brighton and Mark Hughes’ Stoke.

The Seagulls will be embarking on their first top-flight campaign in 44 years when they entertain Manchester City on Saturday, knowing that reinforcements all over the squad will be imperative in their quest to retain their Premier League status come May.

While Stoke boss Hughes has seen several first teamers leave the bet365 Stadium this summer, notably Phil Bardsley, Marko Arnautovic, and Jon Walters, and he will certainly need to strengthen his squad if they are to challenge for a top-half finish.

AdTech Ad
And it appears that both clubs feel that QPR’s Onuoha could aid them in their respective quests, a departure that would certainly deal a severe blow to Hoops boss Ian Holloway, who saw his side beat Reading in their first match of the new season.

However, with reports also suggesting that the club will offer him a new deal, it very much remains to be where Onuoha is plying his trade come the August 31 deadline.

The Verdict: There has been an enormous overhaul of players at Queens Park Rangers over the past few years, yet Nedum Onuoha has grown into an integral and influential member of the side while others have jumped ship.

The 30-year-old’s importance has been highlighted by his 90 Championship appearances in the last two seasons, and with the West London outfit struggling to get players through the door this summer, they surely cannot afford to let the Englishman leave this summer.

But with the financial pull of the Premier League, Brighton and/or Stoke may have the power to convince the defender of a return to the top-flight.

whatever the case.. for me, if they are 3, we need a 3-prong strike force that can easily inflict blows.. They need to be fluid and similarly deadly in combining among themselves and striking. Think MSN, think BBC. Should they be two, think Deeney-Ighalo, Success-Iheanacho(UAE days), Martins-Deeney(Sounders days). We don't want misfiring forwards, who can't link up well or even connect a simple cross.

That's the kind of forward line that will destabilize a physical Cameroon backline.

Modified
Football has moved quickly. Today, the wingers are as good as CF.. they can switch positions at lightning ease. Which is why physical Cameroon will struggle more than ever before internationally.

Icon4s:
All 3 may not necessarily be natural strikers. A CF and two WF would do.

Yes, but which 3 strikers possess these traits?

AndreTAyodeji:
Exactly my point but folks here are just into this target man thing.A fluid attacking front 3 or quartert with clever and good movement plus incisive throughballs and pinpoint passing from the midfielders will definitely be unlock the cameroon defence.

Yes 'more ready'.

Icon4s:
At least he is more 'ready' than Victor Osimhen.

Is Omeruo still a topic? Heard Stoke is interested in Nedum Onuoha. That's another option for us at Center back.

kennysville:
Did anyone notice Omeruo in the match against Zambia in this video?check the goal Zambia pulled back. Did yall see what I spoke about sometime ago that he fidgets a lot? Some folks said experience.... experience. The same thing he did in the match against South Africa in 2013

Is Omeruo still a topic? Heard Stoke is interested in Nedum Onuoha. That's another option for us in Center back.

kennysville:
Did anyone notice Omeruo in the match against Zambia in this video?check the goal Zambia pulled back. Did yall see what I spoke about sometime ago that he fidgets a lot? Some folks said experience.... experience. The same thing he did in the match against South Africa in 2013

I've been saying this long. I saw his style. And Onyekuru's words confirmed it when he said that is his preferred position. He was given the number 9.. And now this.

Icon4s:
You know once in a while I just think we can play Onyekuru as a CF.

Onyekuru continuing from where he stopped. So glad. how far with Moses Simon?

tbaba1234:
Team of the week in Belgium

Dennis and Onyekuru.

Well the Bursaspor move became official 2 days ago

tbaba1234:
Read the report somewhere, do not know the club.

He rejected which La Liga side?

tbaba1234:
Mikel Agu is old news. Rejected offers from France and Spain to go to Turkey.

Very annoying something.

Ahmed Musa to Hull?

So Musa joins Aina at Hull
Iheanacho joined Ndidi at Leicester
Mikel Agu joins Troost-Ekong at Bursaspor

Mikel Agu on loan to Bursaspor. Ejike Uzoenyi to Ajax Cape Town

lol i sabi am, I just want make your hand pain u as u just type am so.. haha

do4luv14:
lolzzz olodo,
nah work permit

So one can deduce that Mikel would rather want to express himself than play the Mou way. Of course, it's professional to say you are okay playing as instructed. Good interview!

BascoVanVeli:
John Obi Mikel: How to play the holding midfield role
Nick Moore @nick_moore
Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel reveals the secret to playing the holding midfield role, his toughest opponent and how to keep a no.10 at bay


You’ve spent your whole career playing in front of the back four - which players do you believe are the masters of this position?

It’s called the Makelele role for a reason. Claude was just so good in that position and made it his own - he brought it to everyone’s attention how important it could be. It wasn’t the position I wanted to play growing up, but when I came to Chelsea, [Jose] Mourinho saw me playing there, and it worked. I changed my position and he saw that I could be good there. I’ve done it for 11 years now. But Claude was my role model, and I was young when I started, so he was the one I admired. I’m very honoured and happy to have played a season with him, I learned so much in that year before he retired.

Defensive midfielders rarely get the headlines - do you think you need to have a selfless personality to be able to play that role?

I do think you have to be selfless. It’s a position that you play where you are open to a lot of criticism from fans, who maybe don’t see all the work you do. They come to the stadium to see the ball go into the back of the net. But we don’t do that. It’s a position that you can play well without actually touching the ball, because it’s all about positioning and coverage. You cover for the back four, the midfield, everyone. You keep the balance of the team. I did initially want to play further forward, and getting forward is something I love to do, but I think defensive midfield worked out suiting me very well.

How important is positional sense for a defensive midfielder?[/b]

It’s all about positioning and coverage, that is the key to playing it well. The manager can see the job that you do even when you don’t touch the ball, because the way you play it keeps the side in shape. That’s the good thing – your manager and your team-mates acknowledge what you do, even if not everyone can see it.



How deep should a holding midfielder operate?

It depends on the team you are playing and the tactic that your manager wants. If you want to play deep, by the edge of the box, you have to be very close to your centre-backs. Otherwise you’ll leave a big hole, with lots of space for the opposition to work in. If you’re playing that deep, you’ll need your midfielders closer as well. This will enable you to stay compact. However, if you’re pressing, then the defenders have to come forward with me, so it’s best for them to be quite close, too. Everyone has to press together – including the midfielder and the strikers - otherwise you’ve got holes.


Are you responsible for covering the full-backs to enable them to attack?

Yes, of course. You have to cover everybody! It’s a huge part of the job. In a way, our job is to cover everyone on the pitch. If the full-back attacks and is out of position, you need to be there. You cover and jump positions. But that requires a midfielder to cover you, too, so it’s a team effort. It’s a difficult and complicated position, and you really do have to learn it and be willing to sacrifice yourself for the team. That’s your job.


As a holding midfielder, do you prefer to play short or long passes?

It depends on the team you are playing. I’m happy to do either, but it depends who is in front of you. Do they want to run? When I get it, are they running? Or do they want the ball at their feet, like most of the players at Chelsea now? You have someone like Eden Hazard, who is quick, but he wants it at his feet. So you have to adapt. If they’re not going to run onto a long pass when you kick it, there is no point. Eden is great for starting attacks, but he wants it to feet. Play according to whoever you have around you. At the moment, we favour short passes, Barcelona style. I’m happy with that.


How do you adapt your game against a no.10 who drops deep and puts you under pressure?

If they come deep, then you know behind you there are two more midfielders, so there’s space for the striker, because the other team won't play with a holding midfielder. That’s where the opposition need defenders to carry the ball and try to bypass me. So you need to be aware of that and try to drag the no.10 out of the way and hope the ball goes straight to your striker or midfielders.


Who are the best No.10s you’ve played against?

I think Alessandro Del Piero was the best. I played against him a couple of times when he was at Juventus. He was close to retirement, but he just was so clever. He was finding space behind me every time to get the ball. I’d think ‘I’ve got him’ but then he’d just do something. I was inexperienced, he was very experienced, and he was just too clever for me. I was trying to beat him with energy, but he could beat me with his head.


You’ve played under Jose Mourinho, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Carlo Ancelotti – did they all expect different things from you?

There was a massive difference. Scolari wanted me to express myself the most. Under him, and Ancelotti and [Roberto] Di Matteo, I played some of my best football. Jose is all about balance. If I’m in his team, that’s what I’m doing, and that’s fine by me.

Read more at https://www.fourfourtwo.com/performance/training/john-obi-mikel-how-play-holding-midfield-role#jmxYlIXMBeOjofHH.99

which one be WP na?

do4luv14:
so nah to give dem WP to dey chop abi

Those Brazilians show more hunger as they age.

bossto:
Hmmm....I.SUCCESS should up his game this time around under the new manager else that brazilian of a guy would displace him...

True. Good for their development to boost their confidence etc. still not a guarantee. I

goldfish80:
My problem is how some of us are quick to judge people who transfer to Turkey like it is a given that everyone who went to Belgium will hit the big leagues from there. At the drop of the hat, I can name 10 players who went to Belgium and played really well but they never pushed beyond that level, still money they no make.
It's a wrong mindset you're making by believing Belgium is the passport for greatness.
By the way, I grow up for new heaven

Is Spotkik back for good?

#SuperEagles Radar Titbit: Isaac Success Under Threat as Brazilian Whizkid Arrives Watford
Add Comment1 min ago by SpotKik Taker 11 Views
Richarlison versus Isaac SuccessREUTERS
Richarlison (L), Isaac Success (R)
Share:
FacebookTwitterGoogle

After the exit of Nigerian international teammate, Odion Ighalo last season from Vicarage Road, Isaac Success was expected to get more playing time which did not come to be due to injury limitations.

And just as soon as it seemed Success had fewer competition this season in Nordin Amrabat, Troy Deeney, Stefano Okaka, and Jerome Sinclair as the rest of the forwards, Brazilian U20 star, Richarlison, was acquired by the Hornets 8 days before the close of the transfer window, which may see Success’ chances of more playing time dwindle, a fate his compatriot and former U17 teammate, Kelechi Iheanacho (now with Leicester City), suffered last season at Manchester City when coincidentally another Brazilian, Gabriel Jesus, was signed by the Citizens.

The Hornet’s new signing whose birth name is Richarlison de Andrade, is expected to be handed a starting role by head coach, Marco Silva, as they take on Liverpool FC at home to open their 2017/18 account on Saturday. The Brazil Under-20 international was granted a work permit Tuesday, with a five-year deal (£11 million fee) announced immediately afterwards.

To summarize Richarlison’s resume, which is decent for a 20 year old, the former Fluminensce star scored 8 goals and bagged 4 assists from 30 starts for the Brazilian Serie A side in the current season. And as a Brazilian U20 international, he had 3 goals from 9 starts to his credit. Watford beat Chelsea and Ajax to acquiring the Brazilian.


-- Spotkik.com

Bursaspor Bid For Samuel Adegbenro
Posted By: soccerasson: August 08, 2017In: Nigerian Soccer NewsNo Comments Print Email
Top Turkish Bursaspor have indicated their intent to secure Vikings Nigerian striker Samuel Adegbenro and are willing to spend 14 million on the table for his services.

Top Swedish soccer publication Aftenblad claim that Viking has received a bid of NOK 14 million for the Nigerian.

“ I can confirm that Viking has received a bid that is at the level we need to assess a sale.”

“Now we will take some time to evaluate the bid,” explains club director Eirik W. Henningsen to the newspaper.

The publication however suggest that the player himself might not favor a move to over Turkish football.

“For us, this is not about which club can pay the highest salary, but that Samuel Adegbenro is taking the right step in his career.”

It is not given that that step is for Turkey, says Adegbenro’s agent, Atta Aneke.

Swedish club Malmö, with Norwegian Jo Inge Berge and Magnus Wolff Eikrem in the squad, are also thought to be interested in the pointmans services, and the league leader in Sweden will be a far more attractive alternative than Bursaspor for Adegbenro.

Adegbenro has scored six goals for the Viking this season.

-- SoccerAssembly

Exclusive – Katsina United Dazzler Destiny Ashadi Handed Late Call Up To CHAN Eagles
August 8, 201709

Katsina United star midfielder Destiny Ashadi has been added to the CHAN Eagles squad who are in camp preparing for the CHAN Qualifiers tie against Benin Republic on the 13th and 19th of this month.

Owngoalnigeria.com gathered from team sources that the soon to be 19 year old was contacted by the technical crew before they embarked on a break for the League matches that were played over the weekend.

Ashadi’s omission caused lot of uproars as he is widely regarded as one of the exciting prospects in the Nigeria Professional Football League, and his fine form has been very useful to Katsina United’s quest to beat the drop.

Quick and very comfortable with the ball at his feet, the former Kogi United creative hub who loves to take on defenders will join his captain Nasiru Sani who has been in the camp of the team.

Osas Mahawi

--OwnGoalNigeria

Revealed – Why On Loan Chelsea Defender Aina Might Not Play For Nigeria Against Cameroon
August 8, 2017016

The chances of on loan Chelsea defender Ola Aina playing for Nigeria is very bright but there are still issues surrounding his change of allegiance from England to Nigeria.

Aina represented England at various youth levels but the defender who is currently out on loan to Championship side switch allegiance to Nigeria, and even trained with the team during their training camp in England.

However his switch still has some paper works yet to be done, and Owngoalnigeria.com gathered while other FA’s under the jurisdiction of the English FA have signed their own part of the document to authenticate his switch, one more is yet to sign.

We gathered the Welsh FA are probably the ones yet to sign their own part of the document the Nigeria Football Federation need to submit to FIFA to make his switch official, and hence free to play against Cameroon in their next World Cup 2018 Qualifiers.

However the NFF are optimistic the papers will be signed before the crunch back to back tie against second placed Cameroon who are four points behind the Super Eagles in group B of the Africa World Cup 2018 Qualifiers.

--OwnGoalNigeria

Basaksehir Exploring Ways To Severe Ties With Ex Nigeria U17 & 20 Captain Musa Muhammed
August 8, 2017035

High flying Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir are looking at ways to bring their three years association with the former captain of Nigeria U-17 and 20 national team, Owngoalnigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Basaksehir who are currently campaigning in the UEFA Champions League ‎Qualifiers in their bid to qualify for the group stages have axed the 20 year old from their first team set up since resumption for the 2017/2018 season.

Last season he went on his six month loan to Bosnian side NK Zeljiznicar, but he failed to nail a spot in the team , and ended up making just six league appearances mostly as a substitute and he played at left back instead of his preferred role as a right back.

He failed to dislodge the first choice right full back at the Bosnian side, same as at Basaksehir where he is yet to make a single appearance in the league for the team since joining them two years ago in a transfer viewed as a coup by many.

So far he has only played in Cup games for the Turkish side who are now exploring ways of bringing his stay with them to an end, as he has failed to progress as expected when he was signed two years ago.


Osas Mahawi

-- OwnGoalNigeria

Nothing wrong with that. It's left for Osimhen to vindicate him.

kingphilip:
The bolded is probably the reason Osimhen is banging in call up left right and center

Okocha: My style was closest to that of Neymar
(FIFA.com) 07 August 2017
FIFA legend Jay-Jay Okocha of Nigeria poses after a interview
© Getty Images
0

He says Neymar has what it takes to succeed Messi and Cristiano
“He plays with joy, but not just to entertain the fans,” he adds
At present, he sees no African players who could make the shortlist

The Nigerian Jay Jay Okocha is arguably one of the most talented African footballers of all time. Blessed with sublime footwork and a mesmerising dribble, he was one of the golden generation of Nigeria players and a pillar of the Súper Águilas side that won gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and graced three successive FIFA World Cups™ between 1994 and 2002.

Eminently qualified to assess the best players in the modern game, Okocha chatted to FIFA.com about this year’s The Best Awards, what it takes to reach that level and his favourites to win the men’s award on 23 October in London.

You were one of those players who managed to dazzle on the pitch while always seeming to enjoy yourself. Are those qualities sufficient to be crowned The Best?
Jay Jay Okocha: Anyone aspiring to be the best, or one of the best, needs more than that. You also need to be able to focus, work hard, and be consistent, as natural talent alone is not enough to elevate you to that level. If you understand that, and you have the raw talent, then you can compete at that level.

Is there anyone today who resembles you as a player?
I’d say the player whose style most resembles mine would be Neymar. That’s because I played with a sense of joy and you can see that he feels the same and really enjoys his own play. He doesn’t play for himself or just to entertain the fans – he plays for his team. He uses his quality and skill for the good of the team.



Okocha at FIFA Tournaments
Games: 38
Goals: 6
World Cups: 3 (USA 1994, France 1998, Korea/Japan 2002)
FIFA Confederations Cup: 1 (Saudi Arabia 1995)
Olympic Football Tournament: 1 (Atlanta 1996, gold medal winner)

Do you see him as a future successor to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi?

Yes, I think he will be the one to do it. Messi and Ronaldo have dominated world football for a decade and, given the nature of football, at a certain point the baton will have to pass to someone else. I think Neymar has a great chance of filling that role.

Ronaldo and Messi have the shared the glory over the last decade, but do you favour one over the other?

I have to be diplomatic here, especially as I’ve a lot of Portuguese friends, but I tend to lean towards Messi. He’s a more natural talent. Ronaldo is a fantastic player, one of the best I’ve ever seen, but he’s been a bit unfortunate to be of the same generation as Messi. Consequently, they have to share the limelight.

Can you think of an African player with a chance of being among the final three for The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award?

It’s hard to name one at present. If you’re talking about the top tier of players internationally, we don’t consider ourselves good enough to compete at that level. We have to change that attitude, and then we’ll be able to produce a player of the stature of the other top guys.

--Fifa.com

Chinedu Obasi: “I Enjoy Every Second In AIK”

Posted By: soccerasson: August 07, 2017In: Eagles WatchNo Comments Print Email
Nigerian striker Chinedu Obasi is totally enjoying his time back in Sweden with AIK

The 31 year old Nigerian is back at AIK for a second spell after an initial stay at the club in 2016

Obasi has been scintillating form scoring 2 goals and grabbing an assist in AIKs 4-1 defeat against Sirius

The Striker stole the headlines for his performance in the game celebrated by fans and pundits alike

“I’m trying to be humble” Obasi is quoted as saying on top Swedish sports site bladet

“It feels good to make goals and help the team,”

“No, I’m not surprised at all that I’ve found form so fast. I have worked hard and what I invested in this. So that’s no surprise”.

After spending six months in the money-spinning Chinese league, Obasi returned “home” to AIK and he says the fans had a decisive impact on his decision.

“It feels so good to meet the fans again.”

“ Since I left, they have kept on writing social media to me.”

“I really enjoy every second of the time in AIK.”

Obasi had spells with the Nigerian national team and was a part of the Silver winning U20 side that lost the final to a lionel messi inspired Argentina, A nigerian team that produced the likes of close friend Mikel Obi.

Obasi scored Nigerias only goal on the night

--Soccer Assembly

Talk true.. U no happy?

maidaboi:
we don here
abeg don't hype my boy too much

Dennis Bonaventure: Nigeria’s Next Big Soccer Star
Posted By: soccerasson: August 06, 2017In: The DugoutNo Comments Print Email
It’s an amazing era for football

We are in an epoch loaded with abundant young talent many being touted to achieve gargantuan levels of greatness. Nigeria is not left out

From Kelechi Iheanacho to Isaac Success to Henry Onyekuru, Victor Osimhen, Orji Okonkwo and Kelechi Nwakali and many more Nigeria has been blessed with a rush of talent between 18 to 21 years of age, a golden generation perhaps all touted to make it big a few years from now

To this elitist few we can comfortably add Emmanuel Dennis Bonaventure !

Born in Nigeria 19 years ago Dennis talent stood out at an early age and was one of the exceptional youngsters at the Football Academy Abuja while still only 15 and joining the Nigerian U-15 national team for an Eight-Nation Invitational Tournament in Mexico where he played alongside Kelechi Iheanacho, Chidera Eze, Taiwo Awoniyi among others before leaving the country a year later to the Ukraine

In the Ukraine with FC ‘Zorya’ the sensational midfielder, slowly developed an enviable profile for himself raking in 12 appearances for FC ‘Zorya’ in his season with three of those coming in the UEFA EUROPA League (although FC ‘Zorya’ failed to make it past the group stages of the EUROPA League. )

The then 18 year old got rave reviews from pundits across Europe for his performances against Manchester United (England), Feyenoord (Netherlands) and Fenerbahce (Turkey).

The reviews were also pouring in with Ukranian media highlighting his 5-star performance against Shahkter Donetsk in a game he was named in the Ukrainian premier league team of the week despite his team’s 1-2 defeat.

Wasn’t long after Club Brugge of Belgium came calling and won the youngster amid keen interest from the likes of Bourissa Dortmund

Dennis has been described as an exciting and electric player by those who should know, one capable of being the best in whatever league he plays

“Dennis is a player with great potential, he has made a lot of progress within a short time and proved every week as one of the best players in the league.” Said ex-Club Brugge star Sergiy Serebrennikov, who was involved in his transfer

“He is a lightning-fast striker with individual brilliance and also unpredictable.

He is ambitious and I am confident that he will shine in the Belgian league.”

Dennis has hit the ground running in Belgium from electrifying performances in preseason he has started the campaign proper like a true star scoring 3 goals in his 1st 2 competitive matches

He needed only six minutes to make his impact in the UEFA Champions League too

Blessed with unbelievable pace, strength and good dribbling abilities in addition to deft clinical finishing prowess, Dennis is every managers dream forward and although he has been criticized on occasion for his end product the youngster has put in the hard work and improved on his weakness

Nigerians should watch out for the player with jersey number 42.” Dr. Leonard Maduabum said when Zorya took on Man united in the UEFA Europa league

Dennis has been said to be an ambitious player and confirmed this himself when he told reporters in Belgium he not only wants to be the top scorer in Belgium but the best player as well

At the end of the season? Who knows? Its not beyond him

--SoccerAssembly

In what areas did his game dramatically improve or gradually improve over that time line. When I think of player development, I think of time line and how they have progressed from one stage to another, and to the next. That's my point.

The reason why I debate most times is so I can learn. I can say I'm satisfied with TheGoodJoe 's points.

tbaba1234:
And you are suggesting that a player who played at the highest level for 10 years did not move through the stages??

Mikel did not reach the peak of his potential but he became to be a important player for the National team and a top club side. Not all youth team players even do that.

So yes, He did develop significantly just not to your expectation.

You are well informed. I respect the way you argue.

TheGoodJoe:
When Mikel was converted to a four, he was poor in it and then developed massively to one of the best. The red card issue is a clear sign of his improvement. You can see he grew in it. It reached a time Mikel was playing there and completing more passes than Paul Scholes and Xabi Alonso in the EPL.

The young man improved in leaps.

Mikel only got sent off twice in his Premier League history. And twice at the FA cup during the 06-08 season. That's very early in his career after the switch. Good attempt. But like I said, that's not a good example when we talk of player development. Granted, in what other areas did he improve during his larger spell at Chelsea?

TheGoodJoe:
Mikel’s development in the defensive midfield role can be pin pointed. A good example was how he used to tackle recklessly because he could not meet up with the pace of creative opposing players. Remember how Mikel used to get red carded. With time, Mikel became too tidy. Could go over ten games without a card.

You are only reiterating what I have said in different words..

However, converting a youthful player from creative midfield to defensive midfield does not mean he improved massively. That's just a role change which he handled very well. It's a one time change that he maintained through his career at Chelsea. Mikel is not a a good example of player development sorry. Please let's not confuse this discussion with whether Mikel is a great player or not.

TheGoodJoe:
Mikel improved massively. To go from a creative midfielder to a defensive midfielder who reads the game with pin point accuracy is not beans. It took a lot of work and coaching.