Power ranking every single Nigerian player in the Premier League so far this season
Read our power rankings of Super Eagles players in England’s top-flight after the opening weekend of the 2022-23 season
The opening gameweek of the Premier League campaign was a mixed bag for the slew of Nigerians in England’s top-flight.
There were league debuts, league returns, smashing defeats and underwhelming showings from the preceding weekend...TAP..TO.CONTINUE READING.
In GOAL’s first power rankings of 2022-23, we look at those who featured over the first gameweek.
Malcolm Ebiowei
The Premier League debutant replaced Eberechi Eze with five minutes of normal time to play, showing his willingness to run at the Arsenal defence.
Eberechi Eze
Eze played 85 minutes of Crystal Palace’s season opener against Arsenal at Selhurst Park, going off for Malcolm Ebiowei.
The attacking midfielder missed one of the Eagles’ clear chances in the game, tamely shooting into Aaron Ramsdale early in the second half.
Scoring at the time would have put Patrick Vieira’s team level on the night, giving them the momentum with a significant part of the second half to play.
Instead, they had to accept a 2-0 loss at the end.
Taiwo Awoniyi
Perhaps disappointed not to start at Newcastle United, Awoniyi came on for the final half-hour in Nottingham Forest’s 2-0 loss.
The Nigeria international barely got involved, though, making only seven touches but he did show some positivity in possession and pressed the opposition intelligently.
Joe Aribo
Got 90 minutes on his Premier League debut but did not pull up trees in Southampton’s 4-1 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur.
The midfield man — playing up top in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s 3-5-2 — got the fewest touches among the visiting players who played for the game’s entirety.
Still, he nearly got a competitive debut goal but was thwarted by Hugo Lloris with 15 minutes to play.
Dominic Solanke
While Solanke sacrificed his more creative side for a defensive shift in Bournemouth’s 2-0 success over Aston Villa, supporters would prefer him to demonstrate his decisive qualities in the attacking third instead.
He did manage three of the Cherries’ seven shots at goal at the Vitality Stadium, with a pair of those getting blocked by the Villans.
Wilfred Ndidi
Ndidi returned to the Leicester City XI and played 90 minutes as the Foxes lost a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2.
The midfield man could do little about the Bees’ goals, though, although it was not the anchorman’s most accomplished performance of his Leicester career.
Tosin Adarabioyo
Adarabioyo won every ground and aerial duel (five altogether) he contested when Fulham played out a creditable 2-2 draw with title contenders Liverpool.
Furthermore, the centre-back was useful in the Cottagers’ build-up phase and their ball progression, outdoing every teammate for progressive passes (five) and passes into the final third (seven).
A solid start to the new season for Tosin but he misses out on top spot…just.
Alex Iwobi
In a forgettable game at Goodison Park, Iwobi was arguably Everton’s best player in the eventual 1-0 defeat by Chelsea.
The midfield man fashioned two of the Toffees’ best opportunities — for Demarai Gray and Abdoulaye Doucoure after half-time — but could not register an assist.
A positive inclination in possession was also evident, completing six passes into the final third, outdoing every colleague in that area.
The former Arsenal man ended atop last season’s ranking and has started the new season on a strong note.
