Whereas Nigeria didn’t fairly make it to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, after they misplaced out to Ghana over a two-legged qualifier, it doesn’t imply that the Tremendous Eagles squad isn’t stacked with expertise. The nationwide crew has stars plying their commerce throughout Europe, together with within the Premier League, La Liga, and in Serie A. 

The likes of Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Joe Aribo, and Emanuel Denis all usually function within the English prime flight. Explosive winger Samuel Chukwueze is likely one of the finest gamers for Spanish membership Villareal, whereas Ademola Lookman seems for Atalanta, who’re difficult for the highest 4 over in Italy. The shining star within the worldwide setup presently, nevertheless, is, in fact, Victor Osimhen. 

The Napoli striker has bagged 16 objectives in 17 video games within the Italian prime flight this season, and his exploits have fired his membership to the highest of the Serie A desk. Actually, the Azzurri are a whopping 13 factors away from their nearest rivals, Inter Milan. On-line bookmaker Bovada, whose betting providing will be discovered right here: https://www.bovada.lv/sports activities, have made Napoli the odds-on favourites to assert their first Scudetto for the reason that days of Diego Maradona. 

However whereas it’s Osimhen that flies the Nigerian flag highest in the mean time, there isn’t a doubt that Nigeria’s most interesting exploits have all given their finest days to the English Premier League. The division has been graced by a number of the most proficient gamers from all around the world, together with Nigeria. The Nigerian gamers who performed within the Premier League have been a number of the most profitable and influential gamers within the league’s historical past. 

From the likes of Jay-Jay Okocha and John Obi Mikel to the brand new era of Premier League stars reminiscent of Wilfred Ndidi and Wilfried Zaha, Nigerian gamers have been making a big effect within the Premier League. Listed below are a number of the finest Nigerian gamers to ever play within the Premier League.

Jay-Jay Okocha

So good, they named him twice. That’s what Bolton Wanderers followers used to say about Jay-Jay Okocha. The previous Paris Saint-Germain star is likely one of the most iconic Nigerian gamers to ever play within the Premier League. 

He’s broadly thought to be among the best African gamers of all time and is likely one of the few gamers to have received 4 gamers of the season awards within the Premier League. He performed for Bolton Wanderers from 2003 to 2006 and was instrumental in preserving them within the Premier League for 4 consecutive seasons. Throughout his time with Bolton, Okocha scored 15 objectives and offered 20 assists. He was additionally named within the Premier League crew of the yr in 2005.

John Obi Mikel

One of the crucial profitable Nigerian gamers within the Premier League is John Obi Mikel. He joined Chelsea in 2006 and went on to make 374 appearances for the membership, profitable two Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups, one Champions League trophy, and one Europa League trophy. He was additionally named within the PFA crew of the yr in 2010/11 and was named within the Premier League crew of the last decade in 2020. 

Mikel was a mainstay within the Blues facet below managers reminiscent of Jose Mourinho, Guus Hiddink, and Carlo Ancelotti. The central midfielder will go down in historical past as probably the most underrated gamers in Premier League historical past. 

Victor Moses

Many had been surprised when Antonio Conte took cost of Chelsea and plucked Victor Moses from the wilderness and turned him into considered one of his facet’s finest gamers. He joined Wigan Athletic in 2010 and went on to make over 100 appearances for the membership. He then joined Chelsea in 2012 and went on to spend 9 years on the membership. 

Throughout his time at Stamford Bridge, he would solely make 128 appearances, however he could be essential to Premier League, FA Cup, and Europa League successes. He additionally had mortgage spells at Liverpool, Stoke Metropolis, and West Ham United.

Wilfred Ndidi

Wilfred Ndidi is maybe the perfect Nigerian participant within the Premier League at present. He joined Leicester Metropolis in 2017 and has since turn out to be probably the most necessary gamers for the membership. He has featured over 200 instances for Leicester and helped them win the FA Cup in 2021. 

He was additionally named within the PFA crew of the yr in 2020/21 and is broadly thought to be among the best defensive midfielders within the Premier League. Nonetheless, at simply 26 years of age, his finest days are nonetheless forward of him and anticipate additional success to observe. 

Yakubu Aiyegbeni

The record of finest Nigerian gamers to have graced the Premier League just isn’t full with out the point out of Yakubu Aiyegbeni.

“The Yak” has was fondly known as by the followers of all 4 Premier League golf equipment he performed for, was among the best strikers within the English prime division league throughout his time.

He was a prolific objective scorer whose identify is amongst the highest 5 5 African highest objective scorers within the Premier League with 96 objectives.

Yakubu is likely one of the solely 5 gamers to have scored a hat-trick for 3 or extra Premier Leagues having completed so with Portsmouth, Everton, and Blackburn Rovers.