Alex Iwobi Sets New Record Surpassing Mikel Obi, Nigerians Weigh in: “With How Many Trophies?”
- Super Eagles Alex Iwobi made a name for himself as he became the Nigerian player to play the highest number of minutes in the English Premier League
- The record was last held by former Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi, who did over 16,218 minutes on the pitch
- Although the Fulham star incredibly surpassed his senior colleague, his countrymen weren't impressed with the announcement as they dished out their opinions
- Following the online reactions to Iwobi's feat Femi Fabunmi, a sports analyst, pointed out his strengths and weaknesses in comparison to Mikel John Obi
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Super Eagles player Alex Iwobi has broken John Mikel Obi's record for most minutes played by a Nigerian footballer in the English Premier League.
The Fulham midfielder played 90 minutes of Fulham's recent 1-0 home defeat to Newcastle United, bringing his Premier League minutes total to an impressive 16,289.
Source: Instagram
This incredible performance breaks the previous record of 16,218 minutes done by former Chelsea player John Mikel Obi.
A timeline of Iwobi's career
Iwobi's Premier League career began with Arsenal, where he debuted on October 31, 2015. After a remarkable tenure with Arsenal, the versatile midfielder joined Everton in 2019 before transferring to Fulham last summer.
Iwobi has played regularly for his various clubs, accumulating crucial minutes on the pitch. This season, the bullied midfielder has played 24 league games for Fulham and scored five goals. He has made 247 league appearances and scored 22 goals in all.
A look at Mikel Obi's journey
Mikel Obi, the previous record holder, had a successful Premier League career, spending 11 seasons with Chelsea and earning various honours, including two Premier League crowns, four FA Cups, and a Champions League championship. Obi made 249 Premier League appearances, scoring one goal and providing ten assists.
To start with, Iwobi is not in Mikel's class - Femi Fabunmi
In a chat with Legit.ng Femi Fabunmi, a sports analyst, noted that Iwobi is a talented player while clarifying reasons he shouldn't be juxtaposed with his senior colleague Mikel Obi
"Unlike Mikel who played for Chelsea, where winning trophies then was a sure odd, Iwobi plays for Fulham, who hardly makes it to any final.
"As for having more minutes than Mikel, Iwobi has shown that the coaches trust him to give him playing time which the Midfielder can use to his favour by exhibiting quality on the pitch.
"Iwobi is good, but Mikel was better, and that explains why he could attract a big club like Chelsea."
See the announcement in the post below:
Nigerians react to Alex Iwobi's record
Legit.ng compiled the hot takes below:
impharuq:
"Before anything make he win FA cup first or make he enter champion league final."
badboypako_:
"Lol, Iwobi ode, shey na record wey hein mate dy break n dis."
thebigkim_:
"You just set iwobi for dragging which kind record be this, how many teams this man play in prem."
ope_froshh_:
"Him can never break Mikel trophy record where iwobi won see champions league collect."
harbeebhnd:
"Walai this page Dey gba, cos iwobi never achieve 10%of what Mikel achieved for premier league."
larrywest:
"With how many trophies to show for it."
heissaaddc:
"Na record be this, LOL."
oluwatobylobaa:
"One has plenty trophies. One has plenty minutes played. Make Iwobi dey play!"
thebigkim_:
"You just set iwobi for dragging, which kind record be this how many teams this man play in prem."
Alex Iwobi returns to Fulham FC after AFCON
After the 2023 African Cup of Nations, many Super Eagles players returned to their respective foreign clubs to continue their profession.
A photograph of the Eagles' midfielder Alex Iwobi made the rounds online to announce his arrival at Fulham FC.
The picture on a lush green football pitch showed the sportsman in his club’s jersey as he smiled graciously for the camera.
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Source: Legit.ng
