Without doubt, European football over the years has been adjudged the ‘blueprint’ for other continents to adopt in building successful leagues. It is also an open secret that the football leagues in Europe have ensured high return on investments for the players and administrators.
Football in Europe though collectively organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has seen the 55 individual nations organising their domestic leagues and cups in a manner best suits them.
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However, European football is largely dominated by the English Premier League (EPL), Spanish La Liga, German’s Bundesliga, Italy’s Serie A and most recently, France’s Ligue 1.
Arguably, the EPL is the most lucrative league in the world and has very huge followership across the globe with La Liga boasting of two of the world’s best clubs in Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Bundesliga and Serie A are also working extremely hard in getting their leagues back to the standard it was a couple of decades ago.
While the Spanish topflight, LaLiga resumed yesterday, the 2021/2022 English Premier League season is set to resume today and expectations are really high among the teeming fans of the clubs.
The Bundesliga and Serie A which also enjoy huge followership across the globe will kick-off next weekend, precisely September 18 and 19 respectively.
Nigerians who are known for their strong passion for the game of football will inevitably join the rest of the world in welcoming back the major leagues in Europe.
Undoubtedly, they will stay glued to televisions either in their homes or in viewing centres to watch their favourite teams fight for honours on all fronts.
Some ‘die-hard’ fans of the European clubs told Trust Sports that they can’t wait to throw banters, analyze the games, ask coaches to make substitutions or ‘blast’ the referees for failing to spot fouls, all from their homes or viewing centres which are thousands of miles from the stadium.
The reason for such level of commitment is not far-fetched considering that some top Nigerian stars like Odion Ighalo, Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Moses, Simon Moses, Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi, Joseph Aribo, Samuel Kalu and a host of others lace their boots for these clubs.
Onofiok Ibok who is a Chelsea fan told Trust Sports that he is not expecting anything less than the league title from the ‘Blues’.
He hinged his confidence on the club’s new signings whom he said are among the best players in the world.
“Frank Lampard is condemned to win the league with the players he just bought. He made giant strides last season despite being a rookie coach but with the experience he has acquired and players he has signed, he must win the league this season,” he said.
Another Chelsea fan, Kelechi Omeire said the presence of new players is a breath of fresh air for fans like him.
“With the influx of players into the EPL and the lifting of the transfer ban on Chelsea, new signings like Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Malang Sarr, Thiago Silva and Kai Havertz are a breath of fresh air for the fans.
“Though Willian and Pedro are out, we are confident in the ability of Lampard to marshal this relatively young side to achieve better results this season. My only displeasure is that Arsenal got Willian just as they got Luiz last season,” he said.
Nzube Nwoji, a Manchester City fan said he expects total control from the ‘Citizens’ as they did two seasons ago to become one of the most formidable clubs in European football.
Although City were clearly beaten to the title last season by Liverpool, he is expecting his club to bounce back immediately for the title.
“I expect total domination by Man City this coming season. Pep Guardiola is a world-class tactician and has the brains to once again lead us to victories this season. I look forward to making ‘noise’ again,” he said.
Ogunyemi Mayowa who calls himself a ‘Red Devil’ is of the belief that Liverpool is Manchester United’s major obstacle to winning the title they last won during the 2012/13 season.
“Manchester United are expected to perform well in all the competitions due to their current squad depth. But to achieve results, they must secure the service of more competent defenders to replace the sluggish ones they currently parade.
“Their major competition for the EPL title will remain, Liverpool, because Man City’s defensive woes are yet to be addressed and Guardiola’s over-thinking plague is still there. Chelsea’s new team will inevitably need time to gel. So at the end of the season, I see United winning the title or being the runners-up,” he said.
Emeka Okonkwo who is a ‘Gunner for life’, an adulation for a core Arsenal fan said he is confident the North London club will do better than the previous season just as he wished that William won’t flop in his first season at Emirates.
“Willian’s move to Arsenal is one move I love but I pray he will not disgrace us as David Luiz did.
“And I must accept that with the standard of Arsenal now, I believe we will achieve better results this season. Though in recent seasons, we started well but dropped vital points as the season went on, I am still optimistic,” he stated.
Ibrahim Musa, a dealer in telephone accessories and Barcelona die-hard supporter said Real Madrid was lucky to win the league and such mistake won’t happen again this season.
“Barcelona made some grave errors last season, but with a new coach (Ronald Koeman), we will go back to our rightful place in Spanish football which is winning all the available titles’, he said.
However, another Barcelona fan, Ijeoma Odumodu said she was not expecting anything from the Blaugrana this season after experiencing some form of disappointment last season.
“Nothing, they disappointed me the last time. The demolition we received at the hands of Bayern Munich was so painful and I felt the pain for some days. We made bad business in terms of players and even coaching staff.
“I simply don’t expect much from them this season, especially from Messi, whose mind is not there again, only his body is in Barca,” she quipped.
Interestingly, a traditional ruler, Mue Ter, Augustine Aule who studied in Liverpool and is passionate about the champions of England expressed confidence that the ‘Reds’ will successfully defend their title.
“We all are aware that the Premiership is full of surprises. It is also the most competitive league in the world. But I am not disturbed.
“Surely the usual suspects, City, United, Chelsea and Arsenal will come all out again but Liverpool will put them in their places,” he said.
