Verdict on Nigerian EPL stars performance so far News

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Verdict on Nigerian EPL stars performance so far

By Daily Sports on February 28, 2017

This ongoing English Premier League season has seen perhaps as much Nigerian players in the topflight of the English game as we have ever witnessed. The major stars are Victor Moses of current league leaders Chelsea, Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, Ahmed Musa and Wilfred Ndidi of current champions Leicester City and Isaac Success of Watford.

Watford also had Odion Ighalo in their books until January when he hopped into the China train.

So how have the earlier players performed so far? What are their ratings over 10? Here are my honest thoughts about their strong points and the weak side of their game.

VICTOR MOSES

Edo-born Moses has undergone a total tactical transformation under Chelsea new manager Antonio Conte this season. From an out and out winger and sometimes striker that we’ve known Moses to operate as, he has become a wing back for Chelsea this season thanks to the tactical masterstroke of Conte who changed Chelsea’s shape to a 3-4-3 after disappointing losses to Liverpool and Arsenal consecutively earlier in the season.

Strong points

Moses adaptation to the wing back role has been phenomenal. He has bundles of strength to bomb forward to give Chelsea numbers up front when they attack and to track back when they have to defend. Moses also possesses the trickery and overall skill set to beat a marker in one vs one situations. Add these to the fact he has contributed a fair share of goals for Chelsea this season and you can see why he's been a super regular this season for Chelsea.

Weak points

It’s hard to discern any weak points in Moses game for Chelsea this season. For nitpicking sake we can say perhaps he should have scored more.

Overall rating: 9

ALEX IWOBI

The youngster who is nephew to Super Eagles legend Austin Okocha has risen brilliantly from the Arsenal youth team to become a mainstay of the Arsenal main team. He’s a testament to the work that the youth coaches in Arsenal's feeder teams do. A super versatile player who can operate in any of the advanced positions, Iwobi has been used more in the left flank of Arsenal’s 4-2-3-1 system.

Strong points

Iwobi has skills and a dexterous vision to keep the ball and open space for himself. His movement and link up play is very good and he has the heart to go on a mazy run with the ball to cause trouble for defences.

Weak points

Iwobi at 18 is still a young kid and he still has some improvements to make. His shooting can be better and his positioning in front of goal can still improve.

Overall rating: 8

AHMED MUSA

The pacy forward joined Leicester City to give the Foxes more attacking options as they looked to fight on different fronts this season. However the reigning champions are having a nightmare of a season and Musa has not had the kind of instant impact the Leicester fans would have hoped for.

They say it usually takes time to settle when you come to the English league and Musa’s slow adaptation gives truth to the assertion.

Strong points

Musa’s speed on his day can be a source of serious suffering for defenders and on some few occasions this has been the case in his time with Leicester City. He can so come up with some surprisingly beautiful goals.

Weak points

Musa has not got a lot of goals in him. There’s also the issue of his fragile physic that make him sometimes look unable to muscle his way in tight situations.

Overall rating: 5

WILFRED NDIDI

This young defensive midfielder is growing fast and his performances since joining Leicester City in January has been decent.

Strong points

He’s got an eye for neat exquisite passes from deep. His height is also a valuable property in dead ball situations and his tackling is tough.

Weak points

He’s movements are a little slow and in the modern game and as a deep lying midfielder one needs some sharp mobility to survive.

Overall rating: 6

ISAAC SUCCESS

Signed for Watford from Granada of Spanish La Liga. Success has made just one start for Watford this season and has a solitary goal to his name in the premier league. He is only 22 and would need to step up work on his game so he can fulfill his obvious promise.

Strong points

He’s a bulky attacker who isn’t afraid to take defenders on one v one. He’s got the skill set to thrive.

Weak points

Success needs to improve his fitness level and stay out of injury. If that happens he will play and do much better.

Overall rating: 5

Source Daily Sports

Posted February 28, 2017