Turkish football expert Erdal Hoş has criticized Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu, claiming his inability to press effectively makes him a tactical liability, Soccernet.ng reports.
Onuachu has arguably been the standout performer in the Süper Lig this season. Since joining Trabzonspor from Southampton in a €5.7 million deal, he has been the catalyst for the club’s title charge, racking up 16 goals and one assist in just 19 league appearances.
The 31-year-old marksman has proven he possesses the technical flair to match his physical presence, scoring several spectacular goals born out of pure ingenuity.
Thanks to his clinical finishing, the Black Sea Storm currently sit third in the Turkish top flight with 45 points from 22 games.
While Onuachu has undoubtedly elevated the team’s quality, Erdal Hoş believes the Nigerian is only thriving because coach Fatih Tekke, has tailored his playing system specifically to mask his flaws.
What Turkish Football Expert Erdal Hoş Said About Paul Onuachu
According to Hoş, the Super Eagles star struggles with pressing and loses the ball too easily—an issue he believes would be a significant problem for most modern, high-intensity teams.
“If you're playing with Onuachu, you're a man down in defense,” Hoş said.
“You can't pressure with Onuachu, and when you do, he finds space easily. Onuachu loses the ball a lot with his back turned. He's a great goal-scorer, but if he's playing, your midfield and wings need to be top-notch.”
Despite the criticisms, Paul Onuachu remains one of the most important players at Trabzon. He has been involved in more than a third of the team's goal in the league.
He will look to continue banging in the goals for Trabzonspor until the end of the season as they challenge for the title.
