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Albert Sambi Lokonga has picked out his best position for Arsenal after completing an £18 million ($25m) move to Emirates Stadium.

The promising 21-year-old midfielder has become the latest addition to Mikel Arteta's ranks, with the Gunners buying into the potential of a Belgium U21 international.

It remains to be seen where Lokonga will slot into Arsenal's plans, with the likes of Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny also competing for midfield berths, but Lokonga believes his versatility can be put to good use.

What has been said?

Quizzed by Arsenal Media on whether he sees himself as a box-to-box midfielder or an attacking playmaker, Lokonga said: "I can play both. 

"I can play both, I can play as a six and I can play like a box to box, but yeah, people say that I’m better in the six position."

Is Lokonga ready for the Premier League?

The highly-rated youngster took in 69 senior appearances for Anderlecht before making his way to England, so has plenty of experience under his belt.

The Premier League will, however, present an entirely new challenge to a player still finding his feet at the very highest level.

Lokonga said on the hurdles he has to clear in north London: "Yeah, it's a big step, but I feel confident because we have to. 

"In the football world, you have to feel confident about yourself, but I'm looking to play in this league and I can't wait to start the league."

The bigger picture

Lokonga is determined to prove his worth with the Gunners, especially as club legend Thierry Henry - who has formed part of the Belgian national team coaching staff alongside Roberto Martinez - is reported to have recommended a deal to Arsenal.

"It's very great, very great," Lokonga said of getting that big billing.

"I think it's a good thing for me because Thierry Henry was a legend over here but I don't know if it's really true because I didn't speak to him about the interest of Arsenal, but if he does, then it's a great thing for me."

Further reading

Nigeria midfielder Nnamdi Ofoborh is confident of making a quick return to football action after Rangers revealed he has a problem with his heart.

The 21-year-old is yet to play for the Scottish giants since he joined them on a free transfer and on Monday the club’s boss Steven Gerrard confirmed he will not feature in the ‘short-term’ while the heart issue is assessed.

Ofoborh, who last season featured for Championship side Wycombe Wanderers on loan from Bournemouth, has taken to his Instagram page to react to the statement by Gerrard.

“God has a purpose for your pain, a reason for your struggles, and a reward for your faithfulness. God is the only reason I’ve made it this far. I will be back,” Ofoborh wrote.

The Super Eagle missed the pre-season friendly against Arsenal which ended in a 2-2 draw at Ibrox and speaking after the game, Gerrard confirmed the reason he was not involved.

“I don't think you'll see him in the short term either. Unfortunately, something has flagged up [with electrocardiography] which is his heart test,” Gerrard told Rangers TV.

“We have got top medical people at the club and we check all the players thoroughly when they arrive and unfortunately there's been a bit of a red flag with a heart issue.

“He is going to see some specialists in the coming weeks and we need to do more checks and tests before we move forward which is disappointing and frustrating.”

The Liverpool legend went on to explain the player’s situation. 

“The important thing is the player's health which we will focus on first,” Gerrard continued.

“Of course it is disappointing for the player but I spoke to him [on Thursday] and told him to keep smiling and be patient and we will do everything we can to support him and get him in front of the right people.

“With the right support, hopefully, he will be back before not too long.”

Rangers who won their opening pre-season game 1-0 against Partick Thistle, before succumbing to Tranmere Rovers by the same margin will next face Blackpool on July 21.

Rennes president Nicolas Holveck says the club are "open" to selling Manchester United-linked midfielder Eduardo Camavinga this summer.

Camavinga has emerged as one of the top young prospects in European football since breaking into the Rennes senior squad as a 16-year-old in 2019.

A number of high-profile potential suitors are being credited with an interest in the Frenchman, including United, and Hovleck has now responded to the speculation surrounding his future.

What's been said?

Asked whether Camavinga could be sold in the current transfer window, Hovleck told RMC Sport: "Discussions are still ongoing, everything is open, either for a departure during this transfer window – if an offer satisfies everyone – or to extend [his contract]."

How much is Camavinga worth?

It has been reported that United have already opened talks with Rennes over a possible deal for Camavinga, but the French club are holding out for a fee of at least €50 million (£43m/$59m) for a prized asset.

The 18-year-old only has a year left to run on his contract, though, meaning his current club may be forced into a compromise as they bid to avoid losing him on a free transfer in 2022.

Camavinga's career record 

Camavinga has already racked up 82 appearances for Rennes, including four in the Champions League last season.

The talented teenager has also recorded two goals and five assists, while earning a call up to the France national team.

He became the second-youngest player in Les Bleus' history when making his international debut in a 4-2 Nations League win over Croatia last September, and has since earned two more caps for his country, scoring one goal.

Further reading 

Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been discussing how his £50 million ($68m) move to Manchester United came about and why he could not turn down the chance to link up with the Red Devils.

The highly-rated defender headed to Old Trafford in the summer of 2019, having enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence at Crystal Palace.

Just one full season of senior football was taken in before becoming the subject of a big-money bid, with the 23-year-old having to overcome initial doubts before taking the plunge with a Premier League heavyweight.

What has been said?

Wan-Bissaka told the Players' Tribune on his career-altering transfer: "The first thing you notice at Manchester United is how big everything is.

"I remember when I went up to sign the contract at the training ground in the summer of 2019, we just kept driving past farms and woodlands, like middle of nowhere. I’m thinking like, 'Where are we? What is this?'

"Then suddenly there it was and I ain’t seen anything like it before … the pitches, the buildings, the size of everything. It’s on another level. Everywhere you go you see the club’s history, with pictures and references to players, trophies, success from before.

"It’s massive. The biggest club in the world.

"It didn’t kick in at first. I’d only made my Palace debut not that long ago.

"I’m not gonna lie, I was nervous about the move. Was I ready? I felt like I had unfinished business at Palace, that they could still help develop me, before I moved on. I had always planned on staying longer. 

"After being so eager to break into the first team, this felt like such a jump to a new life away from home, away from my parents and my family.

"But … it's Manchester United.

"These offers don’t come around every day, you know what I’m saying?

"If you say no, you might never get another chance. United tend to sign players for the long haul. They might not need another right-back for a long time."

He added: "When I finally did meet up with the squad, I was worried they might look down on me, you know, coming from a “smaller” team. This is the club of Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford, David de Gea. Superstars.

"But really it was the opposite.

"Everyone was so nice and welcoming, making sure I was OK."

Wan-Bissaka's record at Man Utd

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handed Wan-Bissaka an immediate debut at the start of the 2019-20 campaign and he is now up to 100 appearances for the club through just two seasons.

A right-back berth has been nailed down, but United are reported to be in the market for reinforcements in that area as speculation links them with the likes of Kieran Trippier and Max Aarons.

Wan-Bissaka will not be giving up his place without a fight, with the former England U21 international loving every minute of his time at one of the biggest and most ambitious sides in world football.

He said: "The feeling of 70,000 cheering you make a tackle, singing your name is … honestly, I can’t put it into words.

"The only way I can describe it is to say, I feel like I’ve made it.

"I feel like I’m home."

Further reading

Cameroon forward Christian Bassogog came off the bench to inspire Shanghai Shenhua to an impressive comeback as they beat Dalian Pro 3-2 in the sixth round of the Chinese Super League on Monday.

Coach Choi Kang preferred to start the 24-year-old Indomitable Lion on the bench in the match at Kunshan Sports Centre Stadium but he had to bring him on in the 38th minute after Cao Yunding was forced out due to injury.

The introduction of Bassogog improved the attacking options for Shenhua and in the 54th minute, he delivered an assist which was headed home by Bi Jinhao for a deserved lead.

In the 61st minute, Zhao Mingjian made a good run from the left side before delivering a pass which Wu Xi scored from another header to help Shenhua stretch their lead.

However, the visiting Dalian pulled a goal back in the 71st minute Zhao Xuri beat Shenhua’s offside trap to score with a low-footed effort, and in the 87th minute, they leveled matters after Huang Jiahui completed a well-delivered cross from Moreno.

With the game heading to a draw, it was Bassogog who helped the home team to bag maximum points as he set up Zhao Mingjian, who turned around after receiving the ball in the penalty area and volleyed it to the far corner for the winner.

Bassogog, who began his career in his native Cameroon at second division side Rainbow FC, signed for Shenhua on February 26, 2021, from Chinese side Henan Jianye FC.

The win helped Shenhua to move second on 11 points from six matches while Dalian will remain in position eight with three points from six matches.

Shenhua will next face Tianjin Teda at the same venue while Dalian will come up against Wuhan Zall. All the matches will be on July 22.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) launched the official logo of the upcoming AFC Women's Asian Cup 2022 which be held in India in January and February 2022.

Along with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the Asian Cup, the parent body launched the logo of the tournament on Tuesday.

What is the significance of the logo?

The logo has been adapted from the original logomark featuring the tournament’s distinctive trophy as the centrepiece, which was introduced in the last edition in Jordan, 2018.

The concept of the ‘swirl’ surrounding the trophy is inspired by the national flags and colours of playing kits in Asia and the iconic stadiums in which the AFC Women’s Asian Cup will be played. It also celebrates the cultural diversity and the support and enthusiasm of fans for their national teams.

The premium finishing pays tribute to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which delivers the highest level of women’s football in the continent while providing an unrivalled stage as the qualifying tournament for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

Local elements of the host member association (India) have been infused into the logo. The maroon colour in the logo takes inspiration from the Warli artworks, a tribal art form from the Northern Sahyadri Ranges in India and in the host state of Maharashtra, where the hue of red and maroon often forms the base of the paintings.

The silver in the logo is a testimony to the importance of silver jewellery in Indian households and the beauty and elegance of the precious metal.

When is the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2022 and how many teams will take part?

The AFC Women's Asian Cup 2022 will be held in India from January 20 to February 6, 2022. The matches will be played in two hosts cities Mumbai (Mumbai Football Arena) and Pune (Balewadi Stadium).

The number of teams from this edition has been increased from eight to 12. India being the host nation have automatically qualified along with Japan, Australia and China who finished first, second and third respectively in the 2018 edition of the competition.

Liverpool are among the most successful clubs in Europe and England winning every major trophy. They have 19 Premier League titles which is the second most in England after their rivals Manchester United (20) and have won the UEFA Champions League six times which is a record in England.

Legendary players like Steven Gerrard, Kenny Dalglish, and Ian Rush have donned the Red jersey over the years and have brought a lot of success to the club. 

But among all the greats who have played for The Reds, English midfielder and club legend Ian Callaghan has played the most number of matches for the club. 

Callaghan made his senior professional debut in 1959, the year legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly took charge of the club. The midfielder went on to play for 18 years until 1977.

In the final year of his contract, Callaghan was sent on loan to Ft Lauderdale Strikers. After his contract was over, he moved to Swansea City in 1978.

The Liverpool great appeared in 857 matches for the club. At Anfield, he won every major trophy including the league five times and the Champions League twice.

After Callaghan, modern day club legends Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard come in the list as the second and third most-capped Liverpool players of all time respectively.

Both Carragher and Gerrard were Liverpool youth products who made their senior debuts in 1996 and 1998 respectively. While Carragher played for Liverpool throughout his career and retired in 2013, Gerrard left the club in 2015 and played for two more years at MLS club La Galaxy.

Here, we take a look at the top 10 players who have made the most appearances for the Blaugrana.

Further reading

Most-capped Real Madrid players of all-time

Most-capped Manchester United players of all-time

Most-capped Barcelona players of all-time

Football in the Olympics is played as a U23 competition, a rule that has been in place since the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

A primary reason why the football competition, which started at the 1900 Olympics, was converted into a U23 affair was to avoid competition with the World Cup which is the biggest tournament in football.

Several top players have played at the Olympics in the early part of their careers. While players like Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Pep Guardiola and Samuel Eto'o have won gold medals representing their country at the Olympics, quite a few notable players like Romario, Hernan Crespo, Xavi Hernandez and Carles Puyol have missed out on the gold by a whisker.

All these players came very close to win the highest prize but their teams lost in the final and they had to settle for a silver medal. Brazil finished second in back to back Olympics in 1984 and 1988 which meant that players like Dunga (1984), Romario and Bebeto (1988) who went on to become legends in their own right, could not win the Olympic gold medal. 

In Sydney 2000 Games, Spain missed a golden opportunity to win their second gold medal after 1992 as they lost the final to Samuel Eto'o's Cameroon. The forward was up against his future Barcelona teammates Carles Puyol and Xavi Hernandez in the final.

In London 2012, a star-studded Brazilian side comprised of players like Thiago Silva, Marcelo and Oscar lost to Mexico in the final and had to settle for a silver medal.

Let us take a look at some of the notable football players who have missed out on an Olympic gold medal by a whisker in the past.

Mbwana Samatta was on target as Fenerbahce silenced Kasimpasa 4-1 on Monday evening.

The 28-year-old striker scored his team’s second goal as the Yellow Canaries strolled past the Apaches at the Can Bartu Facilities.

In the pre-season encounter played to prepare both teams for the 2021-22 Super Lig campaign, it was Fenerbahce who took a 13th-minute lead thanks to Irfan Kahveci’s penalty.

Samatta was brought down by goalkeeper Harun Tekin inside the penalty area, prompting referee Mustafa Filiz to point to the spot with Kahveci making no mistakes in converting the resultant kick.

The Tanzanian star doubled his team’s advantage in the 26th minute after scoring from a tight angle after controlling a cross from Irfan Can.

In the goal-laden first half, Yusuf Erdogan pulled a goal back for Kasimpasa after beating goalkeeper Berke Ozer from the penalty mark after he was fouled by Uruguayan defender Mauricio Lemos.

At half-time, manager Vitor Pereira introduced fresh legs as Samatta came off for Serdar Dursun, while Congolese defender Marcel Tisserand was introduced for Englishman Steven Caulker and Nigeria’s Bright Osayi-Samuel for Nazim Sangare.

Four minutes into the second half, the 19-time Super Lig champions restored their two-goal advantage courtesy of Serdar Dursun’s penalty after Osayi-Samuel was fouled in the box.

Dominating every department of the game, Mert Hakan Yandas scored the fourth goal for Fenerbahce two minutes after the hour mark having been teed up by Dursun.

Despite impressive attacking forays from both teams, there were no goals in the remaining minutes of the game.

“I think we've had a good preparation,” Yandas told the club website.

“Now we have two days off, and then we have a camp abroad. Hopefully, we can prepare very well until the start of the season and achieve what we want this year.

“We want to crown it with a championship. Also, we are trying to do what our manager wants.”

Fenerbahce take on Italian topflight side Udinese in their next outing on July 24.

Samatta joined Aston Villa for £8.5million from Belgian top-flight side Genk in 2020, however, he failed to make the desired impact in England, scoring just twice in 16 appearances.

Furthermore, the arrival of Ollie Watkins and Bertrand Traore meant he was surplus to requirements in Dean Smith’s squad, hence, he was loaned to Turkey. 

French elite division side Angers have announced the signing of Batista Mendy from Nantes on Monday evening.

Having been handed a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee by the Black and Whites, the 21-year-old will remain at the Stade Raymond Kopa until 2024.

Gerald Baticle’s team finished the 2020-21 season in the 13th position. Nonetheless, they would be counting on the France youth international of Senegalese descent to improve on their performance next term.

“The 21-year-old midfielder has signed with Angers SCO for three seasons. Welcome Batista!” the club wrote on Instagram.

On the other hand, the midfielder went on social media to express his delight with his new adventure.

“Very happy to join Angers SCO and it is with pride that I will wear this black and white jersey,” Mendy wrote on Instagram.

Born in Saint-Nazaire, the youngster signed his first professional career with Nantes in 2018. However, he was sent to the club’s second team to garner more experience.

After two seasons there, he was promoted to the senior team in 2020 by Polish manager Waldemar Kita. He was handed his Ligue 1 debut on September 13, 2020, against AS Monaco.

Mendy was introduced for Abdoulaye Toure in the 61st minute as the Black and Whites bowed 2-1 to Niko Kovac' Monegasques at Stade Louis II.

His second appearance came against Angers on February 14, 2021. Again, he was introduced for Toure in the closing stages of the first 45 minutes.

This time around, Nantes recorded a 3-1 away triumph with Nigeria’s Moses Simon, Kader Bamba and Imran Louza all finding the net.

Following this move, he becomes the 12th African in Baticle’s team. They include: Souleyman Doumbia (Cote d'Ivoire), Enzo Ebosse (Cameroon), Rachid Alioui (Morocco), Ismael Traore (Cote d'Ivoire), Sofiane Boufal (Morocco), and Lassana Coulibaly (Mali).

Others are Stephane Bahoken (Cameroon), Sada Thioub (Senegal), Abdoulaye Bamba (Cote d'Ivoire), Farid El Melali (Algeria), and Thomas Toure (Cote d'Ivoire).

On the international scene, he has represented France at U16, U17, 18 and U19 levels. Even at that, he is eligible to represent Senegal at the senior level.

With the 2020 Africa Cup of Nations a few months away, he could be handed an invitation by coach Aliou Cisse.

Arsenal have reached an agreement to feature on the Socios.com platform through Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), the team and company revealed in join-announcement on Monday.

That means there will be a Gunner-specific digital collectible that can be bought and sold through the marketplace using cryptocurrency. There are real-life rewards divvied out through the platform for owning enough of the tokens (such as merchandise discounts), but many people use it as a stock market of sorts to try and make profits through rising item values.

There are now dozens of clubs represented on Socios - and even more involved in the trend when accounting for similar trading platforms - with Arsenal joining the Portugal national team as the newest major organisations to sign on.

What has been said?

“We are committed to finding new and innovative ways for all our supporters - whether local or international - to get closer to the club," said Arsenal commercial director Peter Silverstone.

Rapid rise of NFT industry

Socios revealed financial figures in the release announcing the Arsenal deal, saying the platform had generated $150M in revenues for sports teams in the first semester of 2021.

As a result, the company plans to grow business operations as it fights to maintain its place as a main player in the growing NFT industry. They will have a "major focus" on the Premier League in particular moving forward.

"Socios.com has major expansion plans for 2021 and is targeting many more Fan Token launches throughout the world," the company wrote in a statement. "Socios.com has multiple office locations around the world and has already opened new regional headquarters in Madrid, Istanbul, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires. The company will open a new office in North America in the near future."

Further reading

Colombia star Yerry Mina insists that he bears no ill-will towards former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi, despite clashing with Argentina's star during the Copa America. 

Tensions flared at the end of Colombia and Argentina's semi-final in July, with Leo and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez having some choice words for the Everton defender. 

The Albiceleste prevailed in that tie on penalties and went on to lift their first Copa in 28 years at the expense of Brazil in the final. 

What was said? 

"What happened with Leo is something that can happen at any moment, this is football," Mina explained during a charity event in his hometown of Guachene.

"Life goes round in circles, it always gives you a second chance, but I am calm because I know that Leo is a great person."

"Dance now" 

Mina was heckled by both Messi and Martinez before and after his crucial penalty miss in the shoot-out. 

"Dance now, go on, dance now," the captain had shouted following his team-mate's save, presumably in reference to Mina's jig after converting during the quarters against Uruguay.

Despite that incident, though, Mina has lost no admiration for the record-breaking superstar. 

"I met him at Barcelona and I thank him for the support that he gave me, I will always respect him," he added.

"I admire Messi for what he is, at that time we were both defending our National Team.

"If I could give my life for my national team, I would give it, but what happened was left [out on the pitch], there's nothing to it."

Further reading 

Arsenal are slowly becoming an African team and as such should be renamed ‘Africa FC’, according to veteran striker Dele Olorundare.

The former Sunshine Stars goal machine suggested this following Albert Lokonga’s move to the Emirates Stadium giants from Anderlecht on Monday.

Due to his glittering displays in Belgium, the midfielder was signed by the Gunners for £18m, as the North London side continues to shape the squad for the 2021-22 campaign.

Lokonga’s move makes him the latest player of African background in Mikel Arteta’s team.

Others are Thomas Partey (Ghana), Bukayo Saka (Nigeria), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), Nicolas Pepe (Cote d'Ivoire), Nuno Tavares, (Cape Verde), Mohamed Elneny (Egypt), Folarin Balogun (Nigeria), Eddie Nketiah (Nigeria), and Arthur Okonkwo (Nigeria).

“It’s good to see the Gunners improving their squad with more African players. I think Arsenal should be renamed Africa FC,” Olorundare told Goal.

“Lokonga’s move to Mikel Arteta’s squad is a testimony that the club trust Africans with their bid to win laurels in the next season.

“There used to be a time when players from Africa were not considered good for even the substitute bench of a second division club in Europe.

“That appears to have changed and I can only hope that African teams take advantage of this to build a very solid squad to do well at the 2022 Fifa World Cup.”

Following Matteo Guendouzi’s move to Olympique Marseille and Dani Ceballos' return to La Liga giants Real Madrid, the 21-year-old has been tipped to provide a lot of options in Arteta's side's midfield.

“I have seen him play a couple of times and trust me, his signing will strengthen Arsenal squad,” Olorundare continued.

“He is skilful, young and fast, that would be a massive advantage to the club – although he might struggle a bit in terms of adaptation because this is his first time outside England.

“Another advantage for Lokonga is that he will have the opportunity of learning from the likes of Partey, Elneny and other established players who would make him better.

“Overall, I can say that Arsenal’s business during this transfer window is a pointer that they mean business when the season starts.”

Arsenal will begin their 2021-2 English top-flight campaign against Brentford on August 13 at the Brentford Community Stadium.

Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane has conceded there is a huge gulf between them and Chelsea, and they would need a player like Liverpool star Mohamed Salah to be competitive if they are to meet the European champions at the Fifa Club World Cup.

After winning the Caf Champions League, Al Ahly will be at the competition again, this time in Japan in December and there is a possibility of playing against Chelsea.

While an African side is yet to win the Club World Cup, Mosimane appears not to be giving his side a chance if they are to play against the Premier League giants.

“You can’t compare between Ahly and Chelsea. There is a big difference in possibilities and financial resources, but if you gave me a player like Liverpool star Mohamed Salah then I could compete with Chelsea,” said Mosimane as per Al Ahram.

“I know how the team can get up and I want to leave my own small mark on the team after Portuguese coach Manuel Jose. Players always tell me they can write their own history and I say to them let's try to achieve five or six successive trophies to write this history.”

At the last edition of the Club World Cup, Mosimane led Al Ahly to third place, after being beaten 2-0 by then European champions Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.

It was the second time for the South African to be at the tournament after also leading Mamelodi Sundowns at the 2016 edition.

After Al Ahly won the Champions League on Saturday, there has been talk of Mosimane being handed an improved contract.

“I am not worried regarding renewing my contract and I only concentrate on my work,” Mosimane continued.

“I need just to choose two or three  new players to deploy my strategy with the team and that would give the team much strength in the coming years to achieve more trophies.”

His current Al Ahly deal expires in June 2022.

Following being crowned African champions for the 10th time, Al Ahly now switch focus to their Egyptian Premier League campaign.

They are second on the table, 10 points behind leaders and bitter rivals Zamalek who have, however, played four more games than Al Ahly.

“I know how much the players are facing pressure, but this [winning the Champions League] gives them more confidence,” added Mosimane.

“We should always accept the challenges. Zamalek managed to reduce the gap and this could motivate us or put more pressure on our players.

"The good thing is that winning our postponed matches would put us on the summit. If we won the league title the season would be a historic one for Ahly."

Former Galatasaray and Getafe midfielder Peter Etebo is the Nigerian on Watford’s books fans are most excited about seeing in the Premier League campaign next season.

Having finished second in the EFL Championship last term, the Hornets will be competing in the 2021-22 campaign in the Premier League.

However, manager Xisco Munoz will have to rely on the six Nigerians in his squad to ensure they have a good season.

They are William Troost-Ekong, Isaac Success, Tom Dele-Bashiru, Peter Etebo, Emmanuel Dennis and Scotland youth international of Nigerian descent Dapo Mebude.

As the Vicarage Road giants continue their preparations for the demanding task ahead, we asked our readers about the Nigerian in Hertfordshire they would be looking forward to watching most when the season commences.

In a poll conducted on the Goal Africa Twitter handle, 41.9 percent of voters claim Etebo is the man to watch out for. After completing loan spells in Turkey and Spain, Stoke City loaned the Super Eagles midfielder to Watford for the rest of the season.

He has been with the Potters since 2018 and he played 45 matches in the English second tier with two goals to his credit.

Following the 25-year-old closely is Dennis, who polled 31.8 percent of votes cast on the social media platform. Unlike Etebo, the 23-year-old striker has no experience in English football.

After a loan move to Bundesliga side FC Cologne last term, Dennis moved from Club Brugge to the English side on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

In third place is Super Eagles assistant skipper Troost-Ekong. Only 16.2 percent of fans look forward to watching his play against the likes of Marcus Rashford, Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and Raheem Sterling.

His dream has been to play in the English top tier. Little wonder he decided to move to Watford when they were in the Championship from Serie A side Udinese.

Success seems not to be an exciting prospect to follow when the Prem starts, having polled 10.1 percent of votes.

In 2016, the former Nigeria youth international joined Watford on a five-year deal worth £12.5 million – a record transfer fee at the time.