EPL MATCHDAY ONE: Six
The English Premier League 2022-23 season is set to officially begin today with a game between Crystal Palace and Arsenal. Last season Arsenal encountered their worst start to the season since the 1954-55 season following defeats they suffered in their three first games to newly promoted Brentford, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Last season Nigerian players in English Premier League were 8 (Emmanuel Dennis, Troost Ekong, Peter Etebo, Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Ademola Lookman, Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi) with most representing Watford were relegated and Leicester City.
Three of these players relegated with Watford and four remain in the English top flight, with Alex Iwobi’s Everton fighting relegation survival even to the last day.
This season newly promoted side Nottingham Forest signed Taiwo Awoniyi for a record fee from Union Berlin in Germany, and Joe Aribo joined the saint from Rangers, Glasgow.
Ademola Lookman is not certain about his future with Leicester City, as he’s been heavily linked to Atlanta in Italy.
Six of the players who are certain to ply their trade in the English Premier League this season are:
Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho – Leicester City.
Joe Aribo – Southampton.
Alex Iwobi – Everton.
Frank Onyeka – Brentford.
Although there is a Nigerian-born player in Fulham, Tosin Adarabioyo, who has refused and has yet to play for the Super Eagles.
Corney Chibuike Chukwuemaka is another player born to Nigerian parents. He recently secured his move to Chelsea from Aston Villa. He’s 18 years old and has represented academic teams of England.
