Below is how our players fared this season in Europe and their quality level.
61 Total number of players covered.
9 players in the Top Quality/ World Class bracket.
17 players in the Quality Bracket.
17 players in good form.
11 players in terrible form or very backwater leagues.
5 players injured or retired from national team.
This is a color scheme of Top Nigerian Players, League quality and club performance.
*
Top Quality or World Class! Very Good standing (Top 5 Leagues and Pedigree teasms in CL - Porto, Gala, etc): Must also Play regularly for their clubs
*
Quality! Good standing (Next 5 leagues - Belgium, Dutch, Portugal, Turkey, Russia): Must play regularly. Also includes super Subs in Green category.
*
Good form/ Top Form. Average to good standing.(Switzerland, Ukraine, Austria, Scotish, MLS etc (BUrsaspor, Eupen, VVV venlo etc): Must Play regularly. Also includes supersubs from Blue Category and chronic bench warmers in Green Category
*
. Disappointing/ Very Disappointing. LOW Leagues and unrated.(CHina, Saudi, Egypt, Somalia): Hopelessly on bench.
Injured: Leg temporary decommissioned
END OF 2018/19 SEASON
CURRENT NIGERIAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers:
1.
Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba) -
2.
Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United/RSA - Kaizer/RSA) - started 6 games and made 5 on the bench after joing Kaizer second half of the season. Okay perofrmnace in a very poor league.
3.
Francis Uzoho (Elche/ESP Div2/ Anorthosis/Cyprus) - started and played 8 matches for Elche first half of the season and played 3 matches for Anorthosis. Uzoho has had a very poor season.
Defenders:
4.
William Troost-Ekong (Udinese/Serie A) -
Top Quality. Played over 95% of the games for Udinese and can be ranked as top 10 defenders in the Serie A based on stats and MOTM awards. 1 of the 2 only bright spot in an otherwise dissapointing Udinese. He has now been nominated for Udinese player of the season alongside 2 other attackers. He is one huge season away from making the top 5 of the top 5. Arsenal could do with his services.
5.
Leon Balogun (Brighton Hove Albion/ENG) - Had a bad bench experience.
6.
Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes /La Liga) -
Top Quality. Kenneth played week in and week out winning MOTM awards too. Unarguably top 5 defenders this season in Laliga. He is ripe for the Top 5 of the Top 5 and could just be called back to Chelsea.
7.
Bryan Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow/RUS) - Started 5 out of 13 played in the league out of a possible 29. 3 Champions League games and 1 sub in role in the domestic cup. He's had an Okay season.
8.
Ola Aina (Torino, Serie A) -
Top Quality. Once fit, he played every match. AIna's (also known as hulk in Torino) strengght is his attacking ability, skill and strenght with his coach saying that he would be a great player. One more season away from Top 5 of the Top 5 or could he be recalled to Chelsea? Sarri loves his Italian tutored players.
9.
Jamilu Colins (Paderborn/ Bundes 2/ GER) -
Top Quality. Paderborn was hot this season. Gained promotion in their first season in Bundesliga 2. Collins played every match when fit and available and was superlative. Congrats to him. He's now in the top 5.
10.
Semi Ajayi (Rotherham/ CHamp/ ENG) -
Quality. Started as a CD but was hot when moved to DM. Played over 98% of ROtherhams matches but still ended up getting relegated. He would likely make it to the Premiership this season with one of the newly promoted teams or bottom league team.
11.
Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto/POR) to (Rivespor/ Tur - Loan) -
Quality. Had a nightmarish first half of the season but joined bottom 3 Rizespor by half season and took them up to the 10th position in the TUrkish league. He woudl make it to the Top 5 or top teams in the next top 5 (Lokomotiv, Gala, Anderlecht, etc).
12.
Shehu Abdullahi (Bursaspor/TUR)- Was injured most of the season but once he got fit, was a starter. He's club couldnt avoid relegation though.
Midfielders:
12.
John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva/ISR) -
14.
Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City - Championship) -
Quality. 2 goals. 1 of the best 2 players in Stoke and alot of the fans think he is the best stoke player. Would be top 5 players in the Championship this season. Even Steve Bruce had a hard-on for Etebo when his team played Stoke. Last season, he got into the LaLiga 2nd half of the season and showed them that he could play ball. I expect to see Etebo in the Top 5 next season and top team in the next top 5 (Gala is interested).
15.
Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City/ENG) -
WORLD CLASS. 2 goals. Best DM in the EPL, PERIOD!!He is ripe for Man Utd, Liverpool, Real and even Barca.
17.
Alex Iwobi (Arsenal/ENG) -
Top Quality.
6 goals. When Iwobi ticked, Arsenal balled. Only Lacazzette had higher assists than him. he leads in Big Chances created and was involved in loads of pre-assists. He has the most take ons in Arsenal. He's problem was inconsistency stemming from confidence. We can safely say Iwobi is Top 5 arsenal player this season or even Top 3.
Forwards:
19.
Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai/CHN) -
Top form in CHina.
21 goals last season. 9 games so far this season.
20.
Ahmed Musa (Al Nasser/ Saudi Arabia) -
Top form.
7 goals. Won the Saudi League this season and was one of the Top 3 in the league. Ahmed comes with alot of experience and deadliness. Hopefully, he goes back to Europe in another 1yr.
23.
Henry Onyekuru (Galastasaray, Turkey and Champions League) -
Top Quality 2 goals this game. Made Team of the Week in TUrkey
2 goals so far.
24.
Samuel Kalu (Bordeaux, Lique 1 France) -
Top Quality. 3 Goals. Bordeaux only played when Kalu was on the field. Creator in chief, Tormentor in Chief, cutter in chief. He was greatly slowed down by Injury and personal drama. He also did well in the Europa. Next season, Kalu would turn the Lique 1 upside down.
25.
Simon Moses (Levante, Laliga) -
Quality1 goal so far.[/b] Got injured, got back, took him time to get into the first team but did that this year. Wasn't too assuring in most games but put in a good shift. Needs to cmeout blazing next season.
36.
Paul Onuachi (FC Midtjylland, DEN) -
Good Form.
19 goals (2 in the Europa). and 1 assist, Paul was one of the fiercest players in Denmark although he ended up as 5th highest goalscorer. He's expected to leave to a bugger club this season.
21.
Victor OSimhem (Chaleroi, Belgium) -
Quality.
19 goals(1 in the domestic cup). He's been a huge success. Signed fully to Chaleroi, he's expected to sign with AC Milan and get loaned to Lille. Massive!
ON THE RADAR
1.
David Nwokolor (SKF Sered/ Slovakia) - STarted 11 out of 35matches. Was not subbed in to any match. Not anything special.
2. Afelokhai
3. Dele Alampasu
Defence
3.
Seth Sincere (Yemi Malatyaspor, TUR) - Seth was in and out of the first team especially 2nd half of the league.
4.
Chima Akas (Kalmar, SWE) - Chima has been rock solid for Kalmar and is unarguably 1 of the 2 best players in the team. One more solid season could see him move up to a better league.
Midfield
5.
Mikel Agu (Victoria Setubal, Portugal) -
Quality. Has won MOTM awards. Fake Mikel had a very solid season with Setubal and they ticked when he played. THough slowed down by injury. I expect him in the Top 5 next season or top team in the next top 5 (gala, PSV, etc)
7.
Alhassan Muazam (Nacional, Portugal) -
Disappointing.Started first few games and fizzled out to the bench before december.
8.
Ifeanyi Mathew (Lillestrom, Norway) -
Very DisappointingMoved to Turkey D2 in January and they ended the season 4th.
9.
Afeez Aremu (IK STart, NOR) Very Disappointing From playing in D1(Prem) last season, currently in D2 with IK Start.
11.
Ajagun (Korkijk, Belgium) to (Nicosia, Cyprus - Loan) -
Very Disappointing. AFter a long spell out of the first team, he moved to cyprus in jan.
12.
Uche Agbo (Standard Liege, Belgium) -
Good form. Had a torrid first half of the season with Liege then moved to Rayo in laliga but ill health slowed him down. towards the end of the season, he played 6 games starting 5 but Rayo got relegated.
13.
Anderson Esiti (Gent, Belgium) -
Quality. MIssed the first month of games bcos he was sulking due to his last minute failed move to Levante. after that Saga, he bounced back badder and played every single game for Gent when fit. He's probably the top 3 in Gent and one of the strongest players in the world. I expect a top 5 move for him this season.
14.
Joel Obi (Chievo Verona/ITA to Alayanspor/ TUR) -
Good form. b]1 goals in the league[/b]. STarted well in Chievo, moved to Turkey by mid season and got slowed down by injuries and adapting to a new league. eventually played 4 games towards the end of the season, starting 2.
Attack
15.
Simeon Nwankwo (FC Crotone/Serie B/ ITA) -
Good Form. starts and scores
14 goals so far. In the past 2 seasons, Simy has proven to be a second half of the season player. And in the Serie B, he ended up as 6th highest goalscorer in the league with majority of his goals, 2nd half of the season. He has signed a contract extrension but he is expected to live to a higher league next season.
16.
Anthony Ujah (Mainz, Bundesliga - Germany) -
4 goals in the league.
Quality. He was a supersub for mainz all season playing 22games and starting 6. I expect him to win a starting shirt next season.
17.
Orji Okonkwo (Bologna, Italy) to Montreal Impact, MLS) -
2 goals so far.
Good formPlayed 8 matches and started 2 in the first half of the season before moving to the MLS. Been doing well at Montreal scoring 2 goals so far.
18.
Anthony Nwaekaeme (Trabzonspor, Turkey) -
10 goals in the League/ 1 in Domestic cup.
Quality. first season and Took Turkey with a bang. with 11 goals, 10 assits, 11 Big chances created, Nwakaeme has shown his quality operating mainly from the left wing. He's upping his value for a big money move to china or middle east in another 1.5yrs.
19.
Kayode Larry (Shanktar Donesk, Ukraine) -
Disappointing Started only 3 out of 18 games. came in as a sub 7 times and the rest, his spent on the bench.
20.
Emem Eduok (Kasimpasa, TUR) to BB Erzurumspor, TURK) -
Quality.
10 GOals. 5 Goal for Kasimpasa, 4 for BB, 1 Domestic cup. Joined BB to help them beat them drop but didnt succeed. With 10goals and 2 assists and 5 big chances created, Eduok had a solid season.
21.
Taiwo Awoniyi (Gent, Belgium) -
Quality.
11 GOals. 2 in Domestic cup for Gent Had a torrid time in Gent but moved to truden 2nd half of the season and showed his quality. There are speculations of bigger moves for him to Germany and Spain and Club Brugge.
22.
Imoh Ezekiel (Korkijk, Belgium) -
Good form.
4 GOalsHE had an OKAY season. started 7 and made bench 16 times in the regular season. Played half of the matche sin the play offs and scored 3 goals. I guess he is on hhis way back to Top form after his downgrading moves to the middle east.
23.
Chidera Ejuke (Valarenga,NOR) -
Top form.
4 GOals.He is one of the Top 5 players in Europe with the highest dribble attempts and success rate. He is a higly skillful player and the reason Valrenga are currently 4th on the table. At this rate, he'll make a leap to the Top 8 Leagues in Europe. Watch out for this one.
24.
Adeleke Akinyemi(IK Start, NOR) -
Very dissapointing.
4 GOals last season. Dropped to the 2nd Div in Norway. and has played only 1 game for the team so far.
25.
Stephen Odey (FC Zurich, SWI) -
Good form.
10 goals in the league, 2 in domestic cup, 2 in Europa. Solid Season.
26.
SYlvester Igboun (FC Ufa, RUSSIA) -
Quality. STarted as usual
4 Goals So far (1 in Eur)
27.
Sadiq Umar (Rangers, Scotland) -
Good form.
4 GOals
28.
Blessing Eleke (FC Luzern, SWI) -
Good form.
13 GOals in League, 2 in domestic cup.
6 goals so far
29.
Kelechi Iheanacho(Leicester City/ENG) -
Disappointing Very disspointing season for Kelechi. The coach gave him chances but he never grabbed it with both hands.
30.
Hilary Gong (Vitesse, Dutch League) - Bench
31.
Samuel Chukwueze (Villareal, LALIGA) -
Top Quality.
5 GOals in league, 2 in domestic, 1 in Europa HE was simply unstoppable this season. One more season and he would be in the Top 5 in the Top 5.
32.
Samuel Adegbenro (Rosenburg, NOR) -
Good form.
4 GOals
33.
Isaac Success (Watford, EPL) -
Quality.
1 GOal in League, 1 in Domestic cup. Isaac was a supersub for watford this season. Played 30games, started 9. HE played well in most games. I would advise he moves to Spain, France or Germany on loan in the quest for regular football.
34.
Davidokereke (Spezia, Serie B) -
Quality.
10 GOals. Was a revelation in the Serie B last season. Currently has numerous suitors in the Top 5 leagues. Watch out fo this kid next season
35.
Denis Bonaventure (Club Brugge, Belgium) -
Quality.
7 GOals. Starts when fit and is always solid in every game. Also did well inthe Champions League Europa.
Injured/ Retired
1.
Tyronne Ebuehi (Benfica/POR) - out injured
2.
Nura Abdullai (Perugia, Serie B) - Retired from football due to health issues.
3.
Elderson Echiejile (Cercle Brugge/BEL) - I've retired him from National team
4.
Victor Moses (Chelsea/ENG) - Retired from National Team.
5.
Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor/TUR) - Started
1 goal so far.