Coming into the 10th weekend matches, some Nigerians are topping the charts for various Premier League statistics for the 2024/25 campaign, showing the growing influence of Nigerian talent in England’s top flight. writes PETER AKINBO

Wilfred Ndidi (likes)

Leicester City’s midfield dynamo Wilfred Ndidi has once again demonstrated his exceptional defensive talents, currently leading the Premier League tackle charts with 33 successful tackles, level with Crystal Palace’s Daniel Muñoz.

The Nigeria international has evolved beyond his traditional defensive role this season, combining his trademark ball-winning skills with an impressive creative output that has seen him register four assists already this campaign.

Ndidi’s recent performances have been nothing short of remarkable.

In a thrilling encounter against Crystal Palace, he showed his playmaking skills by providing two assists in a 2-2 draw, first setting up Jamie Vardy with a pinpoint ball, then capitalizing on a defensive error to help on Stephy Mavididi.

His creative renaissance continued against Arsenal, where he delivered a pinpoint cross for James Justin’s spectacular volley in a 4-2 defeat.

The midfielder’s versatility was further highlighted when he was deployed in central defense during Forest’s 3-1 win over Leicester. He was substituted in the 74th minute as the Foxes suffered their first defeat in six games.

Despite the occasional positional switch, Ndidi’s tackling stats underline his continued importance to Leicester’s midfield, with his ability to read the game and disrupt opposition attacks remaining undiminished.

Calvin Bassey (minutes played)

Fulham’s summer signing Calvin Bassey has quickly established himself as an ever-present figure in Marco Silva’s side, leading the Premier League in terms of time spent on the pitch with an impressive 810 minutes under his belt.

The former Ajax defender has played in all nine matches so far, showing remarkable durability and consistency in his debut season.

Bassey’s journey in English football has had its challenges though, most notably a recent setback against Aston Villa where his deflection resulted in an equalizer in a 3-1 home defeat.

However, his resilience was evident in Fulham’s subsequent games, particularly in their win over Nottingham Forest, where he helped secure three points through a Raul Jimenez penalty.

The defender has so far shown his versatility and defensive solidity, notably putting in a strong performance in Fulham’s 3-1 win over Newcastle United, where he played the full 90 minutes alongside Nigeria team-mate Alex Iwobi.

His consistent presence has been crucial to Fulham’s defensive set-up, winning numerous duels and making vital tackles as he continues to adapt to Premier League football following his summer move from Ajax.

Ola Aina (appearances)

Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina has made an impressive start to his stay at the City Ground, featuring in all nine Premier League games this season.

The Chelsea academy graduate has been a revelation since joining Forest, consistently putting in strong performances that have helped his side maintain their competitive edge in the league.

Aina’s most memorable performance came in Forest’s historic 1-0 win at Anfield, their first at the ground since 1969.

The Nigerian defender was instrumental in neutralizing Liverpool’s attack, particularly Luis Diaz, and made a vital goal-line clearance that kept his side clear.

His disciplined defensive display was instrumental in helping Forest secure their first win at Anfield in over five decades.

However, Aina’s perfect start to the season with Forest was ultimately halted when they suffered their first defeat in a 1-0 defeat at Fulham, where he started alongside Taiwo Awoniyi.

Despite this setback, Aina’s appearances and consistent performances have established him as a key figure in Forest’s defensive set-up, with his ability to contribute both defensively and offensively, making him one of the outstanding full-backs in the league in this season.

The dominance of these Nigerian stars in various statistical categories underlines the growing influence of Super Eagles players in the English top tier, where their performances have not only benefited their respective clubs, but also raised the profile of Nigerian football in one of the most competitive in the world. leagues.

As the season progresses, these players will look to maintain or improve their impressive stats, helping the various clubs achieve their set goals.