Former Barcelona Star Runs The Rule On Nigerian Stars In La Liga

The trio of Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze, Granada’s Ramon Azeez, and Huesca’s Kelechi Nwakali will be flying the country’s flag in the Spanish top-flight this season

Former Barcelona winger Emmanuel Amuneke has backed Nigerian stars – Chukwueze, Nwakali, and Azeez – to enjoy an excellent campaign in La Liga this season.

Amuneke guided the Golden Eaglets, which had the duo of Chukwueze and Nwakali, to lift the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, and the former international remains a mentor to the youngsters.

Villarreal forward Chukwueze is often regarded as one of Nigeria’s most talented youngsters, and Amuneke expects his protege to light up the Spanish Primera Division this season.

“Chukwueze has been doing very well for his club, Villarreal,” Amuneke told Complete Sports.

“He’s been in the team, and I think his consistency and continuity in the squad has given him the edge and more confidence as a player.

“It has enabled him to mature more into the game, so I think he will do more this season, having settled down well enough to the demands of the Spanish league.”

Nwakali had an unproductive spell at Arsenal, where he failed to make a single appearance for the senior team.

But the young midfielder is enjoying a bit of new life at Huesca, a club who secured promotion to La Liga at the end of last term.

Amuneke asks that fans should not pile unnecessary pressure on Nwakali, who he hopes to see blossom into a top talent.

“I’m happy that Nwakali took that bold decision of going to Huesca. They have gained promotion to the Laliga Santander, meaning he’s been guaranteed top-flight football.

“But then, that means he must work hard to tie down regular team shirt, which is important to his career.

“Yes, we shouldn’t pressure him with the expectation of becoming an instant hit in the Laliga Santander. He has to do that gradually and adapt to the elite league’s demands.

“And once he sits in with the system, no doubt his best would begin to come. And if that happens, he will give his best to Huesca.”

With the departure of Oghenekaro Etebo from Getafe, the only other Nigerian in La Liga Santander is Granada’s Ramon Azeez.

And Amuneke believes the midfielder has the talent and experience to cope with the rigours of the Spanish league.

“Ramon (Azeez) is a player with great talent,” said the former African Player of the Year.

“He’s been in the Spanish football for some time now and understands the system well. So, l believe he has the experience which I believe will count for him this time around,” Amuneke concluded.