A look at the Nigeria players in EPL and how they fared has seen some of the brightest talents in the country exit from the English topflight league back to Championship after their status was confirmed yesterday in the final game of the season.
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Ndidi and Iheanacho, two of the highly rated duo in the Nigeria national team went down yesterday despite the victory against Westham, in much agony to the management and fans after a torrid season which has seen the former EPL champions slump to a terrible state.
Brendan Rodgers was at the helm of affairs after guiding the club to FA Cup victory in 2021 and also earning them a Europa League spot at the beginning of the season, but the club’s misery began after the sale of several key first-team stars, the management kept faith in him until it was unbearable.
To quickly salvage the situation, former Aston Villa manager Dean Smith was brought in alongside John Terry but it was all too late to salvage their stay in the EPL beyond the current season.
Undoubtedly, a lot of first-team stars will depart the club but it remains unseen if Ndidi and Iheanacho will stay with the club at their trying times and help them get back to EPL in no time.
Elsewhere in Fulham, Tosin Adarabioyo is in a safety net with Fulham and they will be playing in the EPL again next season after their promotion this season, Marco Silva has steadied the ship of the London-based club while the defender remains a trusted figure in the defense line, surely nothing to worry about.
Frank Onyeka’s Brentford made history yesterday having won champions Man City home and away this season, the only club to do so in the Premier League. With one of the highly rated tacticians in Thomas Frank at the helm of affairs, they will also get better by the year to ensure a long-term stay.
Having made a big move from Gent, Paul Onachu’s Southampton were the first side to be officially relegated although the Nigerian striker has yet to make his mark and acclimatize himself to his environment.
Taiwo Awoniyi played an instrumental part in Nottingham’s survival despite being in his first year in the club after the move from Union Berlin. Emmanuel Dennis played his part as he will hope to continue with Steve Cooper’s side if the club doesn’t consider offers for his exit.
The relegation will come as a big blow especially knowing that Gent was close to the Belgium championship before his mid-season move much to the displeasure of the Belgium-based club chiefs.
For the new 2023/2024 season, Iwobi will stay with Everton after earning the trust of Sean Dyche, and let’s hope he does continue to earn it.
