A number of Premier League clubs are queuing up to sign Joe Aribo from Scottish Premiership champions Rangers next summer.
Crystal Palace are rumoured to be leading the chase for the Nigeria international but have now been joined in the battle for the midfielder’s signature.
According to Michael Bridge, as quoted by Givemesport, the Englishman has attracted widespread interest this season, giving the Gers a more difficult task to keep their midfielder.
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The journalist said: “I’m sure people are watching him. He’s a very skilful player. We can question the Scottish Premiership, sure, but he’s been brilliant in the Europa League. He’s got European experience and played in countless Old Firm games. The Motherwells, Hearts’ and Aberdeens away aren’t as done and dusted as people think.”
The 25-year-old linked up with the Gers on a free transfer in 2019 and has now made 110 appearances for the Scottish giants, netting 19 goals and providing 17 assists in that time.
10 Comments
A very balanced midfielder with a strong leg……He has very excellent finishing in front of goal and can dribble very well…….He also has a good passing ability especially long range……Am Happy he chose SE.
I am happy too brother and may he continue to soar higher, higher and highest…Ameen.
In few months time we may be having almost all our potential call up in the midfield playing the top5 league in Europe…
Ndidi, Onyeka, iwobi etebo, Aribo, Kingsley…
Rohr should forget about the thought of having the likes of ighalo and moses back to the super eagles hence, it is reported that both ain’t ready to make a return…
Rohr should build confidence in Osimehn, Awoniyi, Sadiq and Iheanacho upfront because these aforementioned guys are capable to wreck havoc to any team of this world. Awoniyi has taken his games to another level, scoring with both left and right legs even from outside box18 is very amazing.
Osimehn and Awoniyi are really making a huge to announcement to the whole world about striking sensations. All Rohr just need to do now is to find a reliable playmaker who will always give sublime passes to these strikers available in abundance…
So you noticed that as well. Awoniyi’s left footed strike from outside the 18 yard box against stuggart was a beauty. He is really going places.
As for Aribo, he needs to be let loose not restricted in defensive positions as coach rohr makes him do for super eagles. He is a creative player, let him be creative in the Super Eagles. Coach rohr should look for another player to play as a defensive midfielder along side ndidi and not Aribo.
_Aribo: winger or midfielder 1_
Etebo and Aribo have one thing in common: both are accomplished wingers at some point in their careers who had to make way and be withdrawn to centre midfield to accommodate others and improve their rown chances of being selected.
At the 2016 Olympics, Etebo produced excellent performances for Nigeria as a winger so much so that til date, that remains arguably the highest point in his career for Nigeria across all levels. Making transition to the Super Eagles, there was no space for him on the flanks so he had to make do with a slot in midfield.
Even in the Spanish La Liga for Getafe as recently as 2020, Etebo shone like a million stars as a further forward right midfielder (where he came close to scoring severally).
Nope @deo, etebo play one of his worst soccer in laliga, that was reason getafe didn’t retain him now.
Don’t mind him, I don’t even know where that analysis is coming from
Jide, the analysis came from games I observed and information available on reputable statistics gathering websites.
Well Femi, I guess it depends on who you speak to! In the games I watched, Etebo did quite well for Getafe. Reputable statistics website sofascore rated Etebo 7/10 on average for the 10 games for Getafe(leaving out the game he played for less than 8 minutes), that is pretty good.
In years time, if people want to assess how effective Etebo was at Getafe, you will agree with me that they would rather get their information from reliable and reputable sources rather than from a subjective observer who would struggle to back up their opinions with raw facts.
Getafe either won or drew 7 out for the 10 games Etebo played. He actually contributed to one of the goals in that period (as shown in the clip below). These days, Etebo seldom finds the back of the net, so that goal must have been a big deal.
Obviously, there would have been some instances where his performance would have been below par for Getafe. But on the whole, I tend to agree with sofascore.com that Etebo did well – for the most parts – in Getafe.
For a flavor of the delicious midfield meal that he served whilst in La Liga, please see the video below.
https://youtu.be/nH1mk86Wv-8
_Aribo: winger or midfielder 2_
Aribo also does a sterling job for Rangers as a further forward right midfielder in club football. Yes his primary role is defined as centre midfield but he produces his best arguably closer to opposition 18 yard box.
For both players, it is clear that there is no space for them in the flanks for the Super Eagles. Hence they would have to remain comfortable playing from deep in the middle.
Etebo has definitely settled in that role however Aribo is still trying to find his feet against African oppositions.
He doesn’t offer much offensively and is at times nowhere to be found defensively. Despite how he is deployed in his club, Aribo will still have to develop the totality of the repertoire of skills needed to make himself a success for Nigeria as a centre midfielder.
_Aribo: winger or midfielder final part _
At the moment, without being biased, Frank Onyeka is more effective as a centre midfielder for the Super Eagles simply because that is the role he plays week in week out for his Premier League club.
Hence it comes to him naturally. However, in that role, Aribo is more mobile and has far greater potentials (offensively) than Onyeka. Aribo takes up promising positions and is more compelling driving the ball to dangerous areas. But these are not coming out near enough from Aribo at the moment, he does need to carve our a niche for himself and define the centre midfield role in a manner distinct to himself.
Aribo is ahead of Onyeka in the pecking order at the moment and I suggest he digs deep to make the starting slot his personal property.
It is highly unlikely that either Aribo or Etebo will kit out for the Super Eagles as a winger; I just don’t see it happening despite how they are utilitized club-wise. But both can leverage transferable skills as wingers to thrive in the centre midfield for Nigeria. Afterall, a key aspect of a modern day winger (like Moses Simon and Samuel Kalu) is to track back to support the defence. So, there are attacking and defensive responsibilities shoehorned into the winger’s role.
I guess this aided Etebo’s seamless transition from a superstar Olympic bronze medallist winger to a Super Eagles steady and solid centre midfielder.
Those hoping to see Aribo as a more attacking option for the Super Eagles might not see that ambition realised.
Just like Etebo, I think the Rangers man has to make the Center Midfield position in the Super Eagles his own by leveraging his winger skills to develop and enhance the attacking and defensive requirements needed for him to thrive there for the Super Eagles.