Modern day football has placed demands on wingers to not just create goals but also get among goals. When the goals don’t come many expect the winger to at least assist others to score.
It’s even worse for new signings especially if they come with a reputation as the difference maker for teams, who are struggling or pushing for the title and are handed regular run of games upon their arrival. It can sometimes put the player under pressure with fans expecting them to hit the ground running.
Hertha Berlin Nigerian winger Chidera Ejuke falls within the category described above as since his move from Russian side CSKA Moscow where he suspended his contract due to the war. He hasn’t quite set the German Bundesliga on fire as widely expected.
However it’s safe to say he has shown tremendous improvement in the area of his final balls which is what frustrates many in his game. He bagged his third consecutive assist helping his team to a 1-1 draw against Hoffenheim. He laid the pass for Dodi Lukebakio for the leveler in the 37th minute.
Before yesterday’s game he has picked up assist against Bayern Leverkusen and also Mainz 05. An improvement which his coach admitted came after several works on the training ground in the wake of criticism about his end products. It’s nothing close to his dribbling abilities.
” You see he (Ejuke) can do that with ease and also for a while for the team. It’s part of what we sought to change in his game and he is showing massive improvement in that regard. It’s still a work in process and we will continue to work on it”, coach Sandro Schwarz said after the game.
