Samuel Kalu Was Reportedly The Best Nigerian Player In Europe For January

January is often a tricky month in European football, what with players and clubs shaking off the post-holiday blues and stepping into the transfer window. With the month gone, CIES Observatory ranked the performances of players, and Samuel Kalu emerged the best Nigerian player for January.

The rankings involved 836 players who have been rated for a sufficient number of games in the Premier League, Serie A, Bundesliga, La Liga and Ligue 1. Kalu ranks at number 152 with a rating of 81.0 – a position that’s interestingly way higher than that of N’Golo Kanté, who ranks at number 290.

Number 10 is an undeniably crucial position in football and, wearing that jersey number, Kalu has lived up to expectations in his club, Bordeaux. In January, the 21-year-old’s name was on the lips of Bordeaux’s fans after he scored three fantastic goals and assisted one.

Following his impressive performance, he was also included in the Ligue 1 ‘Team of the Week’, alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappé. The second most outstanding Nigerian player, according to the rankings, is Kenneth Omeruo, who is ranked at number 207 with a rating of 78.3.

(Photo: CIES Observatory)