Super Eagles striker, Taiwo Awoniyi has had an up and down debut campaign in the Premier League. Last summer, Nottingham Forest made the move for him and signed him for £17.5 million from German side, Union Berlin.
The 25-year old striker started his career with the newly promoted side on a high note as he scored on his home debut and first start for the club but injuries and a change of position has seen the Super Eagles international lose momentum at certain points.
He looks to be back on track again as he scored twice in his last appearance against Southampton and took his goal tally to six in the Premier League in 24 appearances (14 starts).
Taiwo Awoniyi scores a BRACE within four minutes 💥
Big 9. pic.twitter.com/Px4jROXi7T
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) May 8, 2023
Although he signed for a modest fee, Awoniyi has proved to be a more valuable goal scorer than some players that play in the bigger teams and command bigger transfer fees.
🇳🇬 Big fan of Awoniyi. Had a tough season with injury but when he has played I think he has done well.
– 7 goals
– 1 assistHe only scored 5 for Union before hitting 20 in his second season at the club.
He takes time to settle but I think he’ll be a big player for Forest. pic.twitter.com/V1vQa4RHVN
— Bence Bocsák (@BenBocsak) May 8, 2023
In this article, we look at some of the players Awoniyi has outscored this season.
Jack Grealish – Manchester City
The Manchester City man cost the current Premier League Champions a British transfer record of £100 million.
Grealish has scored five goals in 27 Premier League games this season and has often been accused of a lack of end product during his time in Manchester.
However, his overall gameplay has improved of late and he is now one of City's key men in attack.
Jadon Sancho – Manchester United
The Manchester United man was signed for £80 million in the summer of 2021 and has failed to live up to his massive potential so far.
The 23 year old is in his second season at United with five goals to his name in 22 appearances. He has been in and out of the Manchester United squad due to his poor form and rumors are starting to surface about a potential return to Borussia Dortmund.
Antony – Manchester United
Manchester United spent £85 million on the right winger over the summer and the player is yet to show his full potential.
Although he has shown flashes of his talent this season, the end product has been severely lacking for the Red Devils. He has scored only four times in 17 games for United. For the amount paid to sign him, his numbers are not impressive.
Joao Felix – Chelsea
The forward who cost Chelsea £11 million for a six month loan has been OK at best for the Blues. He has shown flashes of the prodigious talent that made him one of the most expensive teenagers in world football but those moments of brilliance have come few and far between in a Chelsea shirt.
He has only scored three league goals for Chelsea in 13 appearances.
Kelechi Iheanacho – Leicester City
Awoniyi’s teammate on the Nigerian national football team is next on this list. Kelechi Iheanacho was a part of that talented U-17 World Cup winning team which also featured Awoniyi.
Iheanacho has scored five goals for the Foxes this season and is currently in the same battle for survival Awoniyi is in at the bottom of the table.
Diogo Jota – Liverpool
The Liverpool forward has found his second season at the Merseyside club a difficult one to navigate. The team in general have been poor and Jota who was one of their key players last season has had a season hampered by injuries and poor form.
In 19 games played this season, he has scored five goals.
Riyad Mahrez – Manchester City
The Algerian has been a crucial part of Manchester City’s title charge in the Premier League this season but has seen his end product in front of goal plummet this season.
He has only managed five Premier League goals in 26 games.
Awoniyi may be playing on a team in a lower position on the table than some of the players on this list but he has shown that he could be a reliable goalscorer if he is given the chance.
All he needs going forward is the platform as well as the fitness to become a more lethal presence in the Premier League for his club and also for the Super Eagles as AFCON 2023 approaches.
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 years ago
