Philippe Coutinho may have completed a record-breaking move to Barcelona, but the Brazilian is obviously not the best around at the moment.
Indeed, the 25-year-old is talented, fully endowed with flair, precision and skills.
He makes the game looks easy on the eye with his incredible pace, flick and tricks.
Yet, there are certain reserved players who possess even more extraordinary attributes, particularly Nigerian stars.
Here are three of such players who betters the ex-Liverpool star so far this season in certain areas of the game.
1.Wilfred Ndidi – Tackles and interceptions
When it comes to crushing opposition play and setting up the team to attack, Coutinho is nowhere near Super Eagles midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi. The Leicester City star tops the pile in terms of tackles and interceptions garnered, not only in the Premier League but the whole of Europe. Coutinho, meanwhile, is more content attacking than checking on the opposition.
- Henry Onyekuru – Goals
When it comes to nicking goals in the domestic league, Coutinho has been afar off from Nigeria’s Henry Onyekuru. Despite suffering an injury and starting just 11 games, three fewer than the Brazilian, Onyekuru has hit the net nine times for Anderlecht. That’s two more than the 25-year-old struck for Liverpool prior to joining Barca.
- Orji Okonkwo – Goals per game
A relatively unknown name in his homeland, but Orji Okonkwo is already carving a niche for himself in Italy. At just 19, the ex-Golden Eaglet is establishing himself at Bologna with three strikes in just one start. Meaning he averages a goal in every 30 minutes. Coutinho, in contrast, averages one in every two games.
