₦airaland Forum

Omanambala:
I like Awoniyi and I think he is more technical than Osim but he needs to work on his finishing.

TheGoodJoe:
Kelechi Nwakali has my full support. Proud of the young man working his way up. I believe he is going to shock the world and make many who wish him well proud.

Keep shining young man. Effort releases its reward when you refuse to quit.

jargooflife912:
Ejuke

TheSuperNerd:
No my good man, it is very much in context with your reply.

You were stressing Ndidi's 81% passing accuracy in the opposition half after 5 EPL games as proof that he is an accomplished ball passer and I brought the breakdown to show you that it doesn't depict such. Simple. Ndidi's passing range is limited. That is the Truth.

TheGoodJoe:
Who let the MONSTER out? This was phenomenal.

To the best of my knowledge, Ndidi started as a central defender. Maybe, he is being played off position.

TheLoneCitizen:
Those numbers aren't impressive, brother. Regular stats for any average defender against a good team.

If he got those as a DM, then they became eye-catching.

hatakekakashi:
Exactly. Most of those passes are between him and his CB patner, that's why he has 90% pass accuracy.

Meliforme:
Stats says otherwise. Ndidi has good numbers in accuracy of passes whether as a CD or DM.
It should interest you that Ndidi's percentage of accurate passes in the opposition's half is at 81% and that is astonishing for someone reputed as being a poor passer of the ball.

TheSuperNerd:
Below is a Breakdown of Ndidi's pass-types this season so far.. 81% passes in the opposition half is the whole picture but the wrong perspective. Sofascore didn't tell you how many are forward or backward or sideway passes.

According to Squawka using Opta data, we have:

Forward passes - 69
Backward passes - 30
Sideway passes - 162.


Also, Ndidi has completed 230 passes this 22/23 EPL season so far... only 2 are long passes.

Short passes - 228
Long passes - 2

Zero Through balls. Zero lines-breaking. Non-progressives.

I could even compare Ndidi's best season (20/21) to a random MF like let's say Idrissa Gueye also in 2020/21 and the passing Stats will not be funny.

hatakekakashi:
Exactly. Most of those passes are between him and his CB patner, that's why he has 90% pass accuracy.

zicky:
I don't really understand this latest campaign against Ndidi, waa yesterday the first time he's playing as a make shift cb for Leicester. All of a sudden Ndidi is now the reason Nigeria don't play well. Some people are trying to push a narrative to portray Ndidi as not good in his role as a dm anymore.

Joebie:
So how does K. Nwakali rank so far?

7th (joint) in accurate passes per game
3rd (joint) in accurate long balls per game
27th (joint) in key passes per game

TheSuperNerd:
Meliforme to Citizen:

TheSuperNerd:
Chidera Ejuke: Highlights vs Dortmund

Courtesy: EaglesTrackerNG


Twitter link below:
https://twitter.com/EaglesTrackerNG/status/1564291222260391937?t=uBZB9sHuUg0n2VY28XT3GQ&s=19[/quote]Good understanding of the game of passing the ball.
Counter attacking threat.
Creating scoring chances for others is now on the increase, as evidenced in his key passes per game, and attempts at crossing the ball, unlike before.

TheSuperNerd:
Chidera "The Dazzler" Ejuke FT Stats for Hertha Berlin SC.

Hertha BSC 0-1 Borussia Dortmund - Bundesliga Matchday 4.

90mins+ played.
2 chances created.
65 touches.
32/40 accurate passes.
80% passing accuracy.
14 recoveries.
10/18 ground duels won.
9/13 successful dribbles.
1 corner taken.
2 shots off target.
1/3 accurate long balls.
Was fouled once.

*Ejuke completed the most dribbles/Take-ons in the game (9).

I love the way Ejuke's game is evolving.
He attempted 2 crosses of the ball, this is something i kept longing for in his games.

Also this is the first time, I have seen Ejuke take corner kicks.

Samueltemi337:
I don't think osimhen has ever started any game against Juventus before


The one he came from the bench he won a penalty in that match


I think he also won a penalty against inter Milan last season (I might be wrong)


Also won a penalty against Barcelona


His first serie a goal was against Atalanta


He scored two goals against Leicester city


And he has a goal against Lazio

TheLoneCitizen:
That brother's gone.

Danielnino00:
Awazeim's talent isn't in doubt.. However,it appears he isn't so keen on staying at one club. I may be wrong,but it looks like a lack of ambition...For somebody that played in the Portuguese,Spanish and French top tier, moving to Croatia isn't a good move... These kind of frequent loan moves aren't good for a player development..

TheSuperNerd:
Chidozie Awaziem FT Stats for HNK Hajduk Split.

Hajduk Split 0-2 Villarreal CF - UECL
*Aggregate score: 2-6

90mins+ played.
62 touches.
44/50 accurate passes.
88% passing accuracy.
9/13 accurate long balls.
6/7 ground duels won.
2/3 aerial duels won.
100% dribbing success (1/1).
5 tackles.
1 interception.
1 clearance.
Was fouled once.


*Awaziem won the most duels in the game (8 ).

*Very Solid Defensive and well-rounded display from Chidozie Collins Awaziem today. Unfortunately no European football for him and Hajduk in 22/23. UECL Group Stage Ticket goes to Naija Robben and Villarreal

Tolulopefinest:
Chidozie Awaziem is very good.

One of Nigeria's most underrated defenders.

Just unlucky not to be playing for the big clubs in Europe

TheGoodJoe:

I understand your point. However, developing his ball-playing skills will increase his value to us. Also, the reason of this argument is why top clubs skip Ndidi despite his quality. It has to do with his passing limitation.

mostob:
I just pray his performance this season will be a stepping stone for Kelechi. The talent is there, he just needs to work hard more.

Call me whatever you want, I really wish to have Ndidi, Iwobi and Nwakali manning our Midfield.

But till then, Sultan, Onyedika and the likes should be invited for next friendlies.

TheGoodJoe:

Watch the passing ability of Kalvin Phillips and you will understand why Guardiola insisted on getting him. If Ndidi is to play with the big boys, he must transform into more than a destroyer.

He has the ability. He just needs to change his mentality to a passer and see his game improve by miles. Open for passes. That is search for space where his teammates can find him. Then pass to players in space. Study Xavi and Paul Scholes over and over again. The Defensive midfield role is changing.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i77EsprjHE

TheGoodJoe:

It is okay now, more like manageable. Did you watch Manchester City vs Newcastle? That was one hell of the fiercest pressing I have seen. That was Rodri and he literally found it difficult to build play. Rodri is one of the best in the World.

Now think of having someone like Ndidi in such system. It will prove Catastrophic. Ndidi needs to work on his passing and movement game.

That is why top clubs are overlooking him. When they check his passing stats, they don't stand out.

TheGoodJoe:
Ndidi has the work rate but he needs to develop his passing. A deep playing pivot is becoming key if you must play possession football.

You need a deep player that can combine with the defenders to play out of the back. I am seeing potential in Samson Tijani for that role. Ndidi might have to fall to defence but his passing might still prove a liability.

mostob:
I just pray his performance this season will be a stepping stone for Kelechi. The talent is there, he just needs to work hard more.

Call me whatever you want, I really wish to have Ndidi, Iwobi and Nwakali manning our Midfield.

But till then, Sultan, Onyedika and the likes should be invited for next friendlies.

TheLoneCitizen:
Tell me you didn't watch the match without telling me you didn't watch the match.

TheLoneCitizen:
Better goal threat.

Hit the woodwork.

More incisive dribbling. The big chance he made for himself saw him dribble from midfield to the box.

Ejuke's biggest highlight was when he went through four players before forcing a strong but easy save from Yan Sommer from long-range. Other than that, all footwork, no goalmouth action.

TheLoneCitizen:
Don't agree. Lukebakio it was.

mostob:
He actually has a point. We finished that game with 4 strikers on the pitch, two of which are tall yet no crosses from the FBs. Addo, realizing we surrendered the Midfield for attack brought in midfielders and changed formation. He stopped chasing the game and started pulling us around. Egu really fumbled that day.

Jojodjo:
Apt!!
I always liken Ejuke to Gray during his Leicester days.
Dribbles well yet is poor in making decisions.

Safe to say his football is yet to mature.

TheSuperNerd:
Good point LoneCitizen. But take into context that it is f**king Manchester City's Rodri. That team is almost always on the front foot against most teams (several of which are weaker than City) and Rodri's heatmap won't read that way much in some games against tougher and almost equally matched opposition.
Take the heatmap below... It is Rodri's as well vs Chelsea at the Bridge in 20/21. 3-1 win for City but Rodri didn't venture forward so much.


Meliforme, permit me to come in and say this. Citizen is right as regards you probably making use of a Better and more elaborate heatmap showing Iwobi's offensive propensity.. and you could easily reference heatmaps from 16/17, 17/18, 19/20 and last season as well.

In all, heatmaps aren't black and white. It still has subtle interpretations. One must consider the in-game phases throughout the 90mins or more.

TheLoneCitizen:
TheSuperNerd broke it down for you, brother. Heatmap can be obscured by how possessive a team is.

Regarding Iwobi, eye test shows he isn't eager to join the attack but prefers effecting the game from deep. Even when he is player higher up the pitch.

That's eye test, sir, but I'll back it 100% with numbers.

TheSuperNerd:
Courtesy of EaglesTrackerNG: K. Nwakali full highlights on his Ponferradina debut

Twitter link:
https://twitter.com/EaglesTrackerNG/status/1559888139216453633?t=pRF5j8_NSi5Wj7Qy2WdKIg&s=19

YT link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POg0Aslp3ws


I don dey laugh already. Lol


Note: YT Video may not play here thru NL due to La Liga copyright restrictions, but the video is still available on EaglesTrackerNG's YouTube page. If you are interested.

TheLoneCitizen:
Then why are you using it, since he has been deployed as a holding midfielder in both of his appearances.

Why not use data from last season, where he was deployed as a winger to prove your point?

How can you be shooting yourself in the foot like this, my good man?

You as an expert should know that heatmap doesn't show attacking or defensive ability, just workrate and versatility.

This is Rodri's heatmap. From your deduction, he is an attacking maestro.