A guide for NFF, Oliseh: Jordon Ibe & other Nigerian-born young stars [Videos + Stats]
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| Jordon Ibe, Dele Alli, Sheyi Ojo, Chuba Akpom, Ola Aina |
The transfer window has been disappointing for Super Eagles players abroad as we rarely saw our supposed top players making moves to better and bigger clubs.
The only good news about our top players were John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses, Brown Ideye, Victor Anichebe and Odion Ighalo staying at their parent clubs Chelsea,Westbrom and Watford respectively and Kelechi Iheanacho's promotion to the first team of Manchester City.
Ikechukwu Uche is currently plying his trade in Mexico with club Tigres UNAL, Emmanuel Emenkie joined Dubai club side Al Ain on loan from Fenerbache after a disappointing season in Turkey, Kenneth Omeruo still can't convince Jose Mourinho so he moved to Kisimpasa in Turkey and the disappointing list goes on.
Meanwhile our African counterparts have been on the move, Newcastle signed a DR Congo defender Chancel Mbemba from Anderlecht, Black stars' Ayew brothers moved to the EPL joining Swansea and Aston Villa respectively, Ivory Coast's Max Gradel joining AFC Bournemouth, Ghana's Baba Rahman is on his way to Stamford bridge and more.
Nigerian football fans need to realize we currently have a bunch of average players and that's why we are struggling.
Though, the former Juventus midfielder have told the press he will only select players performing regularly at the top divisions in Europe and the Nigerian Professional League. But, Sunday Oliseh will be worried about the lack of talents available to him knowing it's only a handful of his potential players that play at top clubs in Europe.
Fortunately for him,he can build for the future as it has been a revealing pre-season for Nigerian youngsters as football lovers in the country have finally seen some potential Nigerian born young talents on display for top clubs in England especially.
Though, this crop of young players will not guarantee instant results but it is a step in the right direction and the NFF will need to do a lot of work to convince them to play for Nigeria as most of them have already played for England in the youth level but are still qualified to play for the Super Eagles.
Jordon Ibe (Liverpool): According to reports the Liverpool winger already met with Oliseh. Jordon Ibe featured in Liverpool's pre-season matches and had a fantastic pre-season. He is a winger that likes dribbling and hates jumping into tackles.
At 19, he might not be a regular at Anfield, but he will play in cups and keep improving.
Strengths: Dribbling and passing
Weaknesses: Defensive contribution and crossing
Watch his individual highlights below:
Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur): The 19 year old midfielder, was signed by Spurs from MK Dons in February for 5million pounds. The young Nigerian born midfielder was also a revelation during pre-season, his highlight was his nutmeg on Luka Modric (Which can be seen here).
Watch individual Highlights of the young star:
Alex Iwobi (Arsenal): He is Jay Jay Okocha's nephew, he was a star for Arsenal during the pre-season matches after scoring against Lyon in front of the home fans during the Emirates cup.
Convincing the 19 year old winger should be easy, just send Okocha to talk to him. Right?
Watch his individual Highlights below:
Sheyi Ojo (On loan at Wolves from Liverpool): After spending last season on loan at Wigan, the 18 year old winger has once again joined Wolves on loan from Liverpool earlier this week but scored a great goal for Liverpool in their last pre-season match at Anfield against Swindon town.
Watch his highlights from the pre-season below:
Chuba Akpom (On loan at Hull City from Arsenal): The Arsenal striker have joined Hull City on loan to continue his development after been tipped for greatness by Arsene Wenger due to his impressive display in the pre-season matches.
The 19 year old scored an hat-trick scored an hat-trick in one of the pre-season matches against a Singapore XI.
Watch highlights below:
Ola Aina (Chelsea): The 18 year old defender was used as a right back by Jose Mourinho in last night's pre-season match between Chelsea and Fiorentina.
He can play as a center back and left back also.
Though Chelsea lost but Ola Aina gave a good account of himself. Time will tell if Ola Aina will not be sent out on loan as Chelsea are still looking to sign a new right back and left back to cover for Azpilicueta and Ivanovic respectively.
Youtubers rarely post videos for young defenders, so there are no videos for the young Chelsea defender.
Below are some good reactions by Chelsea fans who enjoyed the prospects of the young Nigerian in last night's match.
Great to see Ola Aina start alongside John Terry. I spoke w Aina last week + he cited JT as major help during debut pre-season w first team.
— Jake Cohen (@JakeFCohen) August 5, 2015
@allifradgley must say Ola Aina looks totally ready to back up for Ivanovic! Every time I've watched the youth he has always looked assured
— Reevesy (@DavidTReeves) August 6, 2015
But the kid Ola Aina can play left back even right or centre back and if he wants to stay and not go on loan he can replace Filipe Luis.
— chris roussario (@chrisroussario) August 6, 2015
Very impressed with Ola Aina by the way, looks very capable.
— Freddie (@Azpbae) August 5, 2015
Ola Aina looks unfazed, gets forward well and seems quite mature when defending! #CFC
— Zack (@keaano) August 5, 2015
Branislav Ivanovic can learn a thing or two from Ola Aina.
— Marshad. (@BeardedMagician) August 5, 2015
Article written by @segunake
