I have never seen him in this form he is playing – Man City Coach heaps praise on Super Eagles player
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has showered praise on Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi, admitting that he has never seen the Nigerian international perform at such an exceptional level, according to OwnGoalNigeria.
Iwobi’s impressive display for Fulham in their 2-3 loss to Manchester City caught Guardiola’s attention, with the Spanish tactician singling out the midfielder for special recognition.
“Fulham have a lot of weapons and speed,” Guardiola noted in his post-match assessment. “I have never seen Iwobi in the form he is playing.”
Currently with the Nigeria national team preparing for back-to-back AFCON 2025 qualifiers against Libya, Iwobi’s scintillating form has boosted expectations. The 27-year-old will be eager to replicate his club performances on the international stage.
Nigeria faces Libya on October 11 and 15, and Iwobi’s creative spark could prove pivotal. His previous outing at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo saw him excel in a 3-0 win over Benin Republic, and he’ll aim to build on that display.
Iwobi’s exceptional form has also sparked optimism among Fulham fans, who will rely on him to drive their team’s Premier League campaign. With Guardiola’s endorsement, Iwobi’s reputation continues to grow, and his performances will be closely watched by top European clubs.
As Nigeria seeks to qualify for AFCON 2025, Iwobi’s influence will be crucial. His ability to unlock opposition defenses and create scoring opportunities could prove decisive in the qualifiers.
Guardiola’s praise serves as a testament to Iwobi’s hard work and dedication. With his confidence soaring, Iwobi is poised to make a significant impact for both Fulham and the Super Eagles.
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has become the latest player to warn about the toll of the congested calendar.
Players are facing more games this season due to the new format of the Champions League, as well as the expanded Club World Cup next summer.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, spoke last month about the issue and refused to rule out players striking.
Merino has admitted the current calendar is a big talking point among players and the situation must be addressed by the game’s governing bodies.
“There’s a lot of talk about injuries and the number of games, and within the profession we all have a very similar opinion,” he said.
“I love playing football, but when you do it so often there comes a time when your body doesn’t keep up with your head and that’s when the danger comes.
“But we can’t blame everything on that because there have been two injuries [to Dani Carvajal and Rodri] so close together. What we have to do is take care of ourselves.
Rodri expressed workload concerns before suffering a season-ending injury
Getty Images
“It has to be a joint effort. Everyone has to feel that the players are 100 per cent fit because there will be more entertainment, a higher level of play and that is something that FIFA, UEFA and the fans want. It is everyone’s responsibility to reach a neutral point and resolve all this.”
Merino has just returned from his own lay-off after injuring his shoulder in his very first training session for Arsenal.
He was back in action last week, making two appearances off the bench, and is hungry to get more minutes for Spain over the international break in their matches with Denmark and Serbia.
“I’m feeling good and strong, with my injury behind me,” Merino said. “I’m happy to be back here with my team-mates.
“I’m very happy to start a new adventure. We’re still hungry to do things. This summer has been one of the best of my life.
“On a personal level and at the Euros, with the goal I scored [in the quarter-finals] and then the title, the signing for Arsenal… It has literally changed my life. I hope there are many more things like this to come.”
Leave a Reply