It may still be early in the 2025/26 season, but a number of players across Europe have hit the ground running and are already making a significant impact for their respective teams. From match-winning displays to consistently strong performances, the early weeks are offering a glimpse of who may dominate the headlines for the remainder of the campaign.
In this article, we turn specifically to the top performing Nigerian players of the season so far, looking at the highest rated Super Eagles XI based on WhoScored ratings:
GK – Stanley Nwabili
Nwabili has had a solid start to the campaign for Chippa United, with his highlight so far this season coming as he saved a penalty on matchday five against Orlando Pirates, though their opponents did go on to win 3-0.
RB – Bright Osayi-Samuel
Osayi-Samuel has almost been a permanent fixture for Birmingham City since his move in the summer, and the defender has shown his experience and quality in the English Championship, with the full-back boasting some of the highest successful dribble and passing accuracy numbers of any defender in the division.
CB – Calvin Bassey
Bassey has been formidable once again at the beginning of this term for Fulham, with the central defender helping Fulham keep two clean sheets from five English Premier League matches, while he has been particularly impressive in wins over Leeds United and Brentford.
CB – Chidozie Awaziem
Awaziem has enjoyed an impressive start to the season for Nantes, especially given the defender is constantly called into action as his club prepare to be involved in a relegation battle this term.
His strong performances, largely thanks to his high duels won numbers, have helped the defender secure a 6.67 rating according to WhoScored.
LB – Ola Aina
Aina has unfortunately been injured since the most recent international break, and the defender has been a massive miss for Nottingham Forest given the brilliant start to the season that Aina made.
Aina is once again one of the best full-backs in the league for defensive numbers per 90 minutes, while his ability in possession has also stood out, including a superb 3.00 accurate long balls per 90.
CM – Ebenezer Akinsanmiro
Akinsanmiro may not have started the campaign as an important fixture in Pisa’s first 11, but the midfielder’s performances have seen him become a regular part of their midfield in more recent games.
Akinsanmiro has demonstrated his qualities as an all-round midfielder, with impressive statistics in defensive, passing and attacking areas, helping him secure a 6.69 rating.
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CM – Alex Iwobi
Iwobi is the fifth highest rated Nigerian player in the top five leagues so far this season, securing a superb 6.78 rating with WhoScored.
The midfielder has played a key role in Fulham’s attack, contributing a goal and two assists in five English Premier League appearances, while his stellar passing numbers have also helped the Cottagers enjoy a strong start to the campaign.
AM – Christantus Uche
Uche may have swapped clubs just after the start of the campaign, but the attacking midfielder has shown his qualities for both Getafe and in his early days at Crystal Palace at the beginning of this term.
Uche registered a goal and assist for Getafe before his move, while his substitute appearances for the Eagles have shown plenty of promise thus far.
FW – Moses Simon
Simon’s six-year spell at Nantes came to an end in the summer as the forward moved to Paris FC, and the forward has enjoyed an impressive start to yet another campaign in Ligue 1.
Simon has scored two goals in five matches for Paris FC, as well as recording an assist, including crucial contributions in their narrow 3-2 victory over FC Metz on matchday three of the campaign.
That fantastic start to life at Paris FC has helped him secure the second-highest rating of any Nigerian player with WhoScored, rated at 6.99.
FW – Aiyegun Tosin
Another player who is performing in Ligue 1 already this season, Tosin has remarkably adapted to life in the top flight despite struggling in the second division last term.
Tosin netted only three goals in 26 appearances as Lorient lifted the Ligue 2 title last season, but the forward has already matched his total this term with three goals in five appearances in the top division, helping him score a 6.75 rating.
FW – Nathan Tella
Finally, Tella has become a more regular starter for Bayer Leverkusen at the beginning of this term, starting all three Bundesliga matches that the forward was available for selection.
Tella, who has featured from either a wing-back or attacking midfield position, boasts some of the best defensive statistics in the league for players in his position, while he has also registered an assist for Leverkusen, helping him secure a 6.84 rating.
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