5 Players To Solve Eagles' Midfield Problem
5. Kelechi Iheanacho
The youngster was an important part of Manchester City's U21 team and his exploits there got him his chance with the main team during pre-season ahead of 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 seasons which made the manager register him for the EPL. Though he has seen just two minutes of action in the EPL this season, his qualities as a good dribbler and great passer of the ball are intact. His magical left foot also allows him to score goals from distance. 'Kele' could help stabilise the Eagles midfield if given the chance.
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Date of birth: 3rd October, 1996
Height: 1.85m
Previous clubs: Taye Academy
4.Sunday Mba
The AFCON 2013 hero has put his career back on track after he joined Turkish club Yeni Malatyaspor this summer. He has played in all the three games of the season. Mba is not new to Nigerians after his exploits at the 2013 AFCON. He is such great player with big heart and if given another chance in the team as he is now out of football wilderness. He scores great goals and provides assists. Good ball passer and dribbler. He has 41 caps with 5 goals for Nigeria.
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Date of birth: 28th November, 1988
Height: 1.81m
Previous clubs: Rangers, Enyimba, Warri Wolves, Dolphins (all in Nigeria), CA Bastia (France)
3.Rasheed Olabiyi:
The Houston Dynamo midfielder is a classy creative midfielder, who dictates the pace of the game with composure in the heart of the engine room. Olabiyi is a good dribbler who has vision and passes to create chances for strikers to score. Little wonder, he has been nicknamed ‘Skillful’ by his former teammates at U17, U20 and U23 national teams as well as at his previous clubs Enyimba and Shooting Stars. He has fared well at his MLS team since he joined up from the Nigeria league. He has assisted two goals and involved in moves that resulted in two different goals courtesy of his passes. He is capable of bringing the needed change to Eagles midfield.
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Date of birth: 3rd February, 1990
Height: 1.83m
Previous clubs: Enyimba, 3SC
2.Raheem Lawal
The Eskisehispor of Turkey star is one of the top and consistent midfielders Nigeria have in Europe. He could play as an attacking, defensive or central midfielder. He is strong, a good ball passer, dribbler and a works hard in the middle of the park. His qualities are not in doubt as he has been linked with a move away from his Turkish team to bigger teams like Roma and Besiktas. He has done it for the U20s, U23s and at some points for Eagles. He has five senior caps and deserves another chance considering the problem in the team’s midfield now.
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Date of birth: 4th May, 1990
Height: 1.85m
Previous clubs: Athletico Beleares(Spain), Adana Demirspor, Mersin Idmuyurdu.
1. Abduljaleel Ajagun
The ex-Flying Eagles captain has been a great performer for a Greek top club Panathinaikos since he joined them in the 2013/2014 season after a superlative outing as Flying Eagles captain at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey in 2013. He is a good dribbler, passes the ball well and scores goals as well. The former Dolphins midfielder scored four goals in 27 league games for Panathinaikos in 2013/2014 season. He scored four goals in 28 league games in the 2014/2015 season. He has gathered experience playing for a top team like Panathinaikos and getting to play in UEFA Champions League and Europa League too are added advantages. If given the chance and the confidence, he will be the man to add the creativity that has been badly missing in the Eagles midfield for many, many years now.
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Date of Birth: 10th February, 1993
Height: 1.70m
Previous clubs: Dolphins FC
Present club: Panathinaikos (Greece)
Honours: Greek Cup winner in 2013/2014 season, Nigeria League title with Dolphins in 2010/2011 season. He has represented Nigeria at U17 and U20 levels.
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