Emerging alongside Marcus Rashford last season as the youngsters to watch in the Premier League, Alex Iwobi and Kelvin Iheanacho certainly have an advantage over the Manchester United starlet.
The duo, ever since breaking through at Arsenal and Manchester City respectively, have become regulars for their country, Nigeria, and are now being labelled their ‘most important players’.
In a team including more experienced protagonists like Odion Ighalo or even John Obi Mikel, who led their U23s to a bronze medal at this summer’s Olympics, it’s the Arsenal and Manchester City pair who stand out the most.
At least, this is according to Georges Leekens, Algeria’s new manager, who was speaking to the press, relayed by Vanguard, ahead of his side’s clash against Nigeria in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
He said: “We have found the two most in important in the Nigeria team: Iwobi and Iheanacho. In tight spaces, their teammates are always looking for them. They are also good at running in behind unnoticed.
“They key is to deny them access to the ball, as regardless of the formation Nigeria play, they are the key. Stopping Iheanacho and Iwobi will neutralise Nigeria’s complex formation.”
We’ll have to see if Algeria manage to restrain the Arsenal and Manchester City forwards, but a win for Nigeria would see them go at least two points clear in their group.
