“I’m small next to him” – French and Brazilian defenders confess that Nigerian winger is a tough opponent

Nigeria’s most exciting star in the Turkish league has been a right-back’s nightmare all season

Besiktas defender Valentin Rosier and İstanbul Başakşehir ace Junior Caiçara have confessed that Trabzonspor’s Anthony Nwakaeme is one attacker they dread to face in the Turkish Super Lig.

Nwakaeme has been one of the key performers for table-topping Trabzonspor, with the Nigerian contributing six goals and seven assists for the Black Sea Storm.

As per Whoscored, the 32-year-old is the highest-rated player in the Turkish elite division, with a rating of 7.59 after 17 appearances.

Nwakaeme is in the league’s top five for the most assists, the most shots, and the most dribbles per game, showing that he has been a handful for defenders so far this campaign.

French full-back Rosier has praised Nwakaeme for being a master of his craft. The two faced each other back in November, with Nwakaeme assisting Andreas Cornelius’ 96th-minute winner in Trabzonspor’s 2-1 win at Besiktas.

And when asked to name the most difficult opponent he has faced in the Super Lig, Rosier responded, as per Fotomac: “Nwakaeme from Trabzonspor. The man is very strong. I am small next to him.”

Rosier is not the only defender who is worried when pitched against Nwakaeme.

Başakşehir’s Brazilian full-back Caiçara was pleased that the Nigerian forward was unavailable when his side played out a goalless draw with Trabzonspor on Christmas day.

“It’s a good thing Nwakaeme didn’t play in this match. He’s very fast and very strong. Thank God he wasn’t on the field,” Caiçara said as per Fotomac.

Nwakaeme has been with Trabzonspor since completing a €1.1 million move from Hapoel Beer Sheva in 2018.