With transfer deadline drama engulfing world football, Completesports.com can exclusively report that fast rising Nigerian star, Obinna Nwobodo, had a $ 1.5m (about N800m) interest from top Greek club AEK Athens.
However, the club were discouraged from making a formal bid as they were told the player’s present club, Goztepe of Turkey, are bent on holding on to him in the current transfer window. Secondly, that there wouldn’t be time for the Turkish Super Lig side to get a replacement before the window closes further reduced the possibility of a deal happening.
Goztepe, who are gradually swimming out of relegation waters in that country’s elite league, had been pressured into accepting a $2m (about N1b) offer for Nwobodo by Americam club, F.C Cincinnati early in January. However, the transfer fell through when the player elected to stay back and help the team, who were neck deep in a battle to remain in the league. This was despite the Major League Soccer (M.L.S) side offering to pay him thrice what he currently earns.
Also Read – Done Deal: Simy Nwankwo Joins Parma On Loan
Nwobodo in Turkish Super Lig action for Goztepe
Nwobodo, a former Nigeria U20 national team – the Flying Eagles’ midfielder, has been churning out impressive performances since joining Goztepe from Ujpest of Hungary in 2020, so much so that he is rated amongst the best three defensive midfielders in the Turkish Super Lig.
Despite being turned back, it is believed AEK will come back for Nwobodo at the end of the season as they feel their chances of landing him will be brighter with his current contract remaining just one year.
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COMMENTS
It’s beat my imagination how Rohr and his scouting team have not called u this guy for close look with the SE. When OMO9ja mention this guy has a good replacement for Ndidi in case of Injury I quickly went to YouTube to check out the guy. This is what I discovered about him.
(1) Objna, Obodo have a superb last ball similar to that of legends; Nwankwoo Kanu and Finidi.
(2) He can operate with equal intensity from left wing or right wing.
[3] He is very fast and fleet footed with very good vision and can score from shots outside the box very often.
(4) Omo9ja positted that he is a defensive midfielder but I see him as an attacking midfielder.
In conclusion he is better in terms of decision making in the box them all our present winger in S.E
If Eguavon van quickly get him integrated into the S.E by playing infriendliess before Ghana he will surely add value to the SE.
This was the guy that made the Flying Eagles crop of 2015 thick and would have gone to the world cup in New Zealand if not for a fracture he suffered playing for Nigeria… This guy was an astute midfielder even when Ndidi was yet to qualify as one… Lol. Ndidi when still a defender when Nwobodo had already finished apprenticeship in midfield and at that time a smooth one even… This guy is in the front of the queue ahead of Nwakali, Onyeka and even Etebo… Ndidi can’t event boast where Nwobodo is. If paired with Ndidi Ghana will have to kiss WC goodbye.
I cant remember anything thick about the Flying eagles of 2015. They crashed out at the QFinal of the event to a German-side led by Kevin Akpoguma, struggling to muster any decent shots on target. That is how people have clamoured for Umar, Nwakali, Awoniyi, etc., in the past. The AFCON has taught us lessons, only if we will learn, going forward. So disappointing that its a Greek team that is interested in him, not even a French or Portuguese team.
One thing most people forget to notice is that Ndidi cannot man the midfield alone. Just like Kelechi. Ndidi needs support and that is why all the time he plays, he hinders the other midfielder from moving freely to join attack.
In Leicester he is never alone. Few times Rodgers played him alone the team suffers. Oliseh did that alone in his time but Mikel needed Onazi or Ndidi around him or Etebo. We need a proper holding and reliable midfielder to displace Ndidi so that the transition between mid and attack can be smoother. He hardly ASSISTS and much more is expected from him but he uses Aribo or Etebo to cover his flaws. We have never played him alone in the middle because of such weaknesses of not been able to man the midfield alone. He hardly even scores for SE.
There is no time in the history of football where a single man played midfield… It’s not possible. Even Olise had support in Okocha and our wingers in the days of 442 but that pattern don’t sell anymore… Most times play a man at the tip of a three man midfield or a man at the base with two central midfielders flanking him at any time… Yes in Cameroon Eguaveon made that mistake planting Ndidi ahead of the defenders with Aribo moving all over the place causing so much stress for Ndidi… that’s why Tunisia seized that midfield. I ding know what Eguaveon was thinking… Even if someone wants to play wing football it has to been from the middle to the side and not left and right full backs running a beeline to 7 and 11 always… that was too predictable…
When we attack, one midfielder should join build up play and attack too and when we defend, another joins Ndidi.
Watch the gap between Aribo and Kelechi. That gap is wide because he needs to help Ndidi. Okocha Rove’s forward and mesmerized defence while Oliseh dies the bullying…Ndidi falls short…
These days, I am with Rohr and Keshi for having one DM closely assisted by a deep playing CM (Onazi – Mikel, Mikel – Ndidi, Etebo – Ndidi).
I think this set up offers the most adequate support for our back line. That is my one major takeaway from Nigeria’s match against Tunisia at this last Afcon.
it is not helping us to properly dominate teams from the midfield hence a call for tweaking it.
Tactical variations is urgently needed going forward. I fancy a 4 1 4 1 with two CM who will join defence under ppresure and wingers cauusing havo. When wings are clipped, swap wingers and attack from the middle.
I hope coach Eguavoen is reading this today. I hope he won’t say he doesn’t know Nwobodo like he did to Dessers.
Nwobodo is like Ndidi. Is it bad to have two great players in one position?
Well, fingers crossed. I wish Nwobodo a good luck. God bless Nigeria!!!
@Omo9ja, I actually did a research on him after reading ur comment about him. He is a very good player with a superb last ball and good decision making around the box quite unlike our chukueze and Simon who are use to making poor decisions around the box. However, he is not a defensive midfielder. From the footages I watched he plays from both wings effective. I think is more of an attacking midfielder
You are right but he can play any where on the pitch. What a fantastic player Nwobodo is. It is well. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
Nigeria has such a large pool,sometimes could be a curse because better players are left out atimes depends on choices of coaches on ground.Most countries currently in the Afcon would have Nwobodo in their first team.He’s such a good talent very skillful and daring.
One wonders how a huge talent is constantly overlooked despite churning out impressive performances week in and out.
Probably,the next move is all Nwobodo needs to get the attention of super eagles coaches.
The love and romance with Goztepe must end in the summer for Nwobodo to realise his long sought dream of playing for the super eagles.
Una don start…. Can we atleast assess him in national team colors before you guys praise him so much. I’ve known him since his when he played fir the u20 in 2015 and during his time at rangers but you people are quick to……. and then castigate the same player if he flops. Omar sadiq! Omar sadiq! We all saw how that went.
If umar sadiq is a flop (in your opinion) then what would you say about taiwo awoniyi, peter olayinka, henry onyekuru and alex iwobi etc were they all flops as well?
I think Manu Garba gave us some sublime midfielders in ifeanyi Matthew,obinna nwobodo,even ebere 360 nwankali,aminu Umar and ifeanyi ifeanyi(with the last trio not finding their feet career wise),… The likes of nnamdi ofobor, dele Bashiru, Kingsley Michael,and of course kelechi nwankali can also step up to the plate and be counted
Nwobodo obinna deserves a call up to the Super Eagles, another player who deserves a look in is alhassan yusuf who recently scored the winning goal for his club antwerp against kaa gent. The other player I would like to see in the team is Raphael nwadike. All these players are midfielders who can play as defensive midfielders or attacking midfielders. They are mobile, have good range of passing and can score goals. They are also young.
Raphael reminds me of sunday oliseh with his height and passing ability. All these players cant be invited at the same time but after the world cup playoffs are done we should organise a friendly game and try them out.