It would be rather hypocritical to ignore the fact that Nigeria boasts probably the two brightest young talents in Europe at the moment. Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi of Arsenal spare head what can both be described as the new era in Nigerian football.
Both players aged 20, have been in blistering form in the last year for their Premier League sides. Though with contrasting styles of play, the pair has constantly been compared to each other due to their growing reputation in the English top-flight. The debate became even more heated when the pair lined up for the Super Eagles against Zambia on Sunday.
Nigeria were 2-1 winners on the road – something they’ve failed to achieve in the last two years – thanks to both players who aside from being on target, were simply unmarkable. With this in mind, let’s take a look at how the pair match statistically according to Squawka.
National Team
Both players in jubilant mode for Nigeria
Iheanacho and Iwobi have both featured six times for the Super Eagles of Nigeria. However, it is the Man City man who stands tall with four goals against Iwobi’s sole strike which came on Sunday.
Iheanacho 1 Iwobi 0
League Goals
Iheanacho celebrates after scoring for City
In the Premier League, both youngsters have made five appearances apiece – with Iheanacho thus far superior with two goals while Iwobi is yet to score this season.
Iheanacho 2 Iwobi 0
Chances Created
Iheanacho with nine has created two more chances than his compatriot who has played three minutes more in the Premier League this season.
Iheanacho 3 Iwobi 0
Pass Accuracy
This is one area Iwobi has simply been outstanding for Arsenal this season. In his five appearances, the 20-year-old has played an impressive 85% of his passes accurately against Iheanacho’s 75%.
Iheanacho 3 Iwobi 1
Shot Accuracy
Iheanacho has scored a total of 10 Premier League goals despite only attempting 14 shots on target. He possesses an unbelievable 75% shot accuracy – something not really part of Iwobi’s game with 33%.
Iheanacho 4 Iwobi 1
Average Duels Won
Iwobi fires at goal after beating three Barcelona defenders
Iwobi’s strengths lie in his skills, tricks and flicks. He boosts an impressive 58% average duels won whereas Iheanacho averages about 25% less per game.
Iheanacho 4 Iwobi 2
Defensive Actions/ Cards
Iwobi has been involved a lot more defensively more that his countryman, which explain why he’s been booked once.
Iheanacho 5 Iwobi 2
Managers View
Pep Guardiola: “Kelechi is a natural goalscorer. I like his personality, his attitude, his ability – we hope to help him reach the highest level and to realise his full potential.”
Arsene Wenger: “He’s a player who connects the team and that’s why I think he’s integrated so quickly, because our game is based on those combinations.”
Iheanacho 6 Iwobi 3
Nigerian Perspective
“It’s amazing to see these young players coming through – Iwobi and Iheanacho – they’re doing great for their clubs and I think they are the future of this Super Eagles,” Chelsea’s John Mikel Obi who is Nigeria skipper told Goal.
A Nigerian coaching staff revealed in May: “Alex and Kelechi are very good friends and not rivals. They swapped kits when Arsenal played Manchester City at the beginning of the season and have been roommates on international duty for Nigeria.”
Verdict: While Both players are superb in their own way. Iheanacho is exceptional at goal scoring, Iwobi, on the other hand, is phenomenal at making the goals. However, stats prove Iheanacho has the edge over Iwobi.
Iheanacho 7 Iwobi 3
Do you agree?
Culled from itsroundanditswhite
Both players aged 20, have been in blistering form in the last year for their Premier League sides. Though with contrasting styles of play, the pair has constantly been compared to each other due to their growing reputation in the English top-flight. The debate became even more heated when the pair lined up for the Super Eagles against Zambia on Sunday.
Nigeria were 2-1 winners on the road – something they’ve failed to achieve in the last two years – thanks to both players who aside from being on target, were simply unmarkable. With this in mind, let’s take a look at how the pair match statistically according to Squawka.
National Team
Iheanacho and Iwobi have both featured six times for the Super Eagles of Nigeria. However, it is the Man City man who stands tall with four goals against Iwobi’s sole strike which came on Sunday.
Iheanacho 1 Iwobi 0
League Goals
In the Premier League, both youngsters have made five appearances apiece – with Iheanacho thus far superior with two goals while Iwobi is yet to score this season.
Iheanacho 2 Iwobi 0
Chances Created
Iheanacho with nine has created two more chances than his compatriot who has played three minutes more in the Premier League this season.
Iheanacho 3 Iwobi 0
Pass Accuracy
This is one area Iwobi has simply been outstanding for Arsenal this season. In his five appearances, the 20-year-old has played an impressive 85% of his passes accurately against Iheanacho’s 75%.
Iheanacho 3 Iwobi 1
Shot Accuracy
Iheanacho has scored a total of 10 Premier League goals despite only attempting 14 shots on target. He possesses an unbelievable 75% shot accuracy – something not really part of Iwobi’s game with 33%.
Iheanacho 4 Iwobi 1
Average Duels Won
Iwobi’s strengths lie in his skills, tricks and flicks. He boosts an impressive 58% average duels won whereas Iheanacho averages about 25% less per game.
Iheanacho 4 Iwobi 2
Defensive Actions/ Cards
Iwobi has been involved a lot more defensively more that his countryman, which explain why he’s been booked once.
Iheanacho 5 Iwobi 2
Managers View
Pep Guardiola: “Kelechi is a natural goalscorer. I like his personality, his attitude, his ability – we hope to help him reach the highest level and to realise his full potential.”
Arsene Wenger: “He’s a player who connects the team and that’s why I think he’s integrated so quickly, because our game is based on those combinations.”
Iheanacho 6 Iwobi 3
Nigerian Perspective
“It’s amazing to see these young players coming through – Iwobi and Iheanacho – they’re doing great for their clubs and I think they are the future of this Super Eagles,” Chelsea’s John Mikel Obi who is Nigeria skipper told Goal.
A Nigerian coaching staff revealed in May: “Alex and Kelechi are very good friends and not rivals. They swapped kits when Arsenal played Manchester City at the beginning of the season and have been roommates on international duty for Nigeria.”
Verdict: While Both players are superb in their own way. Iheanacho is exceptional at goal scoring, Iwobi, on the other hand, is phenomenal at making the goals. However, stats prove Iheanacho has the edge over Iwobi.
Iheanacho 7 Iwobi 3
Do you agree?
Culled from itsroundanditswhite
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