As the 2015/2016 club football season rolls in with transfers and sponsorship deals, so as Nigerians plying their trade in the top flight leagues are getting prepared to do their African roots proud.
Naij.com has put together a list of Nigerian players to watch out for this season.
John Obi Mikel
Is there a place in the Chelsea midfield for Obi Mikel or will Ramires who has a more robust engine be preferred alongside Nemanja Matic to the Nigeria international in the holding position? Only Mikel has the answer to this question.
The Super Eagles international who is in 10th season at Chelsea makes him the second longest serving player at the club after Captain John Terry.
In this vein, Mikel will be looking to carry his team on his shoulder when called upon. He is a competent midfield but is less of a creative influence.
Can we expect a John Obi Mikel reincarnation at the Bridge? Time will tell…
Victor Moses
This could be Moses’ breakthrough season at Stamford Bridge. The Super Eagles player has bagged the confidence of his coach, Jose Mourinho following some encouraging displays on Chelsea’s tours.
He was recently named Man of the Match in his team win against PSG, grabbing a goal for himself. Mourinho has stated Moses his firmly in his plans. The self-styled Happy One said: “Victor has been terrific, working very hard.”
Peter Odemwingie
Obviously a favourite at the Britannia stadium, Odemwingie spent virtually the whole of last season on the sideline.
He was however given a resounding welcome in his comeback game against the Black cats, Sunderland. This show he’s still very much in Mark Hughes plans this season.
Stoke city can be guaranteed of at least 10 goals in the EPL from Osaze in a very good season.
Odion Ighalo
Ighalo was instrumental in helping Watford win promotion last season with 20 goals in 38 games, including a memorable four-goal haul in a 7-2 win over Blackpool.
This probably was the major reason why his team turned down a £10 millon offer last month from Chinese first division side Hebei China Fortune.
According to his agent, Ighalo decided to turn the offer as he wants to play in the Premier League with the newly promoted Hornets. Watch out for this 26-year-old lad. He was recently on score sheet when Nigeria defeated Chad 2-0 in first AFCON 2016 qualifier game.
Anthony Ujah
23yr old striker Ujah may have been disapointinng in the few games he played for Nigeria, but at club level, he has never disappointed.
In the last 2 seasons, he was one of the best strikers in Germany’s 2nd division with a decent goal record, 25 goals in the last 2 seasons.
Ujah was a very key figure in cologne’s fight to return to the Bundesliga. He joined Werder Bremen from FC Cologne this summer.
Since joining Werder Bremen, Anthony Ujah has had an impressive form during his team’s pre-season matches with 8th goals already.
Ogenyi Onazi
Onazi went from being a Lazio reserve player to a regular figure in Lazio’s 1st XI. His consistency in the team earned him a two-year contract extension with the Italian Serie A club Lazio until 2018.
Onazi was the subject of transfer enquiries from English Premier League trio Everton, Southampton and Sunderland in the summer transfer window. He will be looking to be at his best again this season.
Brown Ideye
Amid reports that Berahinho may be heading to Tottenham Hotspurs, this may just be the season for Nigerian international Brown Ideye to leave up to his billing.
With a club record £10m fee splashed on him, Ideye will be looking to be at his best this season.
Meanwhile, there are strong indications that newly appointed coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Sunday Oliseh is already eyeing Liverpool forward, Jordan Ibe for his new squad.
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Enter your comments here....