The 2019-20 Spanish top-flight season came to an end at the weekend with Real Madrid emerging as champions, and a former Castilla star is delighted with the output of Nigerians in the league
Former Nigeria international midfielder Mutiu Adepoju has hailed the impact of the Super Eagles stars in the just concluded La Liga campaign, picking out young Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze has the standout star of the bunch.
It was a mixed fortune ending to the season for Nigerian footballers in Spain with some finishing on the high while others on the low.
Midfielder Ramon Azeez helped Granada finished the season with the same number of points with sixth-placed Real Sociedad, meaning El Graná are assured of a spot in the Europa League qualifiers.
Oghenekaro Etebo, on loan from Stoke City, also aided Getafe to the 8th spot on the final standing while the duo of Kenneth Omeruo and Chidozie Awaziem could not save Leganes from relegation.
It was a happy ending for Chukwueze, though, with the former U-17 world cup winner lifting Villarreal to a fifth-place finish, earning passage to the group stages of next season’s Europa League.
And 1994 AFCON winner Adepoju is convinced that the 21-year-old outshone other Nigerians in Spain’s Primera Division.
“I think all of them were impressive as I’ve said earlier, but I will pick Chukwueze as the standout performer among them because he showed that his first season’s performance at Villarreal was no fluke,” the Real Madrid Academy graduate said as per Complete Sports.
“At his young age of 21, it is not easy to be at the top of your game in a competitive league like La Liga.
“Also, that some bigger clubs in the Spanish La Liga and elsewhere in Europe showed interest to lure him away from Villarreal speaks of his quality.
“I hope he would be able to further build on his performances next season.”
Chukwueze featured in 33 matches for the Yellow Submarines, scoring three goals and adding two assists.
