The Great Debate: Jordon Ibe - Do Nigeria need him?

The Liverpool starlet is on the brink of an England call-up - how big a loss would his decision to represent the Three Lions be for the Super Eagles?

DEBATE 
             

The Liverpool starlet is on the brink of an England call-up - how big a loss would his decision to represent the Three Lions be for the Super Eagles?

DEBATE
By Solace Chukwu & James Ezimoha

As explored recently by Goal, Jordon Ibe has emerged as one of the revelations of the Premier League season after some exceptionally composed and mature performances for Liverpool.
Ibe is an England youth international, having represented the Three Lions at U18, U19 and U20 level. However, he is also eligible for Nigeria and could feasibly opt for an international future with the Super Eagles.
The youngster currently stands on the brink, does he follow in the footsteps of someone like Victor Moses, for example, and represent the land of his origins rather than the side he featured for at youth level? Or does he attempt to emulate someone like Gabby Agbonlahor, who sought an international future with England?
Regardless of Ibe’s choice, should Nigerians be bothered or even care about the decision of this young wideman? Even if he does opt for the Super Eagles, do the three-time African champions even need him?
Two of Goal Nigeria’s finest give their views…
                                 Ibe is exactly what Nigeria are looking for
The vision of the present administration of the Nigerian Football Federation gives a veritable answer to the above question. Amaju Pinnick, the NFF president, has not hidden his desire to fish out and incorporate young talents of Nigerian origin littered in the Diaspora into the national team at all levels.
This radical action (or reaction) by the NFF to cast its net far and wide with the view of attracting only the best into the national team can only be seen as a step in the right direction.
Looking at how the Super Eagles have lost their verve in the last 12 months or so, it has been lauded as a welcome development by the general consensus.
Jordan Ibe’s stock under the wings of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool has been on the ascendancy in the last couple of weeks, and his emergence into the spotlight has been crucial as the Reds have reignited their top-four surge.
The winger’s pace, trickery and composure have been crucial for the Merseysiders in recent games, both in the domestic league and in their European adventure, testament that his loan spells at Wycombe Wanderers, Birmingham City and Derby County have helped in setting the youngster on the path of greatness.
With his eye-catching displays at Anfield, is it any surprise that the English FA, according to the English media, are looking to fast-track him into the Three Lions?

Ibe | It's no wonder England are hovering...
Nigeria must certainly not go to sleep on this one.
The 19-year-old winger has represented England at U18, U19 and U20 levels…but so did our very own ‘messiah’ Victor Moses, who took Nigeria and African football by storm in 2013.
The impact of the Stoke winger with the Super Eagles since he pledged his allegiance to Nigeria presents a solid foretaste of what Ibe could also offer if Pinnick and Co. can convince him to don the Green and White.
It is painful, and embarrassing, too, that Nigeria lost the likes of Bayern Munich star left-back David Alaba, and Juventus centre-back Angelo Ogbonna, to mention but two, to Austria and Italy, respectively.
Having missed out of the 2015 Cup of Nations in embarrassing fashion, Nigeria must do all in her power to lure the best to represent the national teams.
The signs are crystal that Jordon Ibe could bring a whole new dimension to Nigeria’s right side
The blossoming of Jordon Ibe into a Premier League-level footballer has come as a surprise to everyone.
Well, except maybe Brendan Rodgers, who thought highly enough of him to terminate his loan at Derby and thrust him into the high-octane, fractious atmosphere of the Merseyside derby.
However, to proclaim him the solution to all of Nigeria’s problems is reactionary and blinkered. The best way to make a decision, especially with these circumstances, is with clear eyes, as Nigerians say. This means dispassionately, perhaps with brutal honesty.
His numbers while on loan at Derby at not bad for a 19-year-old: 24 appearances, five goals and a single assist. That’s the thing though – they’re not excellent either. Stats are not everything, of course, but for an attacking player whose strengths lie in his direct style of play, these do not scream ‘prodigy’.
His return to Liverpool has seen him catch the eye, much the same way Raheem Sterling did as a free-spirited scampering menace in 2012. Why the sudden seachange?
My colleague Ed Dove noted earlier in the week: “…I must admit that I didn’t see the kind of talent that he’s demonstrated regularly since making the first team at Liverpool.”

Ibe | Too soon for necessity
Can such a sudden transformation be relied on? Can the evidence of seven appearances for Liverpool be considered more tenable than that of two dozen games in a lower division? While it raises the possibility that he always had the personality and talent to succeed at a higher level, it also brings the possibility of a regression to the mean pretty soon.
The Super Eagles struggled for sharpness and efficiency in attack in recent months, with the likes of star striker Emmanuel Emenike misfiring. There is need for rejuvenation in the attacking third, which has fed the Ibe frenzy.
However, if you don’t shoot, you don’t score.
Across all competition this season, the Anglo-Nigerian averages a measly 1.3 shots-per-game, and this while playing for two teams: Derby and Liverpool, who espouse attacking principles and dominate most games offensively.
This is a damning indictment, and in the cold (perhaps cynical) light of day, calls for the 19-year-old’s inclusion in the Super Eagles are premature. He may be an option at some point in the future, when his all-round game becomes just that: rounded.
Until then, Nigeria do not need Jordon Ibe.