Ejuke emerges La Liga top dribbler

Sevilla’s new signing Chidera Ejuke has emerged as La Liga’s best dribbler, having managed to dribble past his opponents on 17 occasions in just four games, according to the latest statistical report.

The Nigeria forward arrived from Royal Antwerp, where he was on loan from CSKA Moscow, as a free agent and signed a three-year deal with the Spanish club.

Since he arrived at the Nervion club, García Pimienta has given him opportunities in all league matches except against Las Palmas.

Despite having played in four of their first five games this season, the 26-year-old has become the top dribbler in the Spanish topflight.

According to ABC, Ejuke has managed to dribble past his opponents on 17 occasions, surpassing Real Madrid duo Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal.

Mbappe and Yamal have both completed 16 dribbles, while Vinicius remains further away with a total of 13 dribbles.

The most striking thing about these statistics is the difference in minutes that the three players have had compared to their results.

Ejuke has enjoyed 265 minutes on the pitch, so it could be said that every 15 minutes of play he has made a dribble. In the case of Mbappé and Lamine Yammal, both have played five LaLiga games, playing 439 and 443 minutes, respectively. Despite the numerous attempts they have had to dribble past their rivals, they have not managed to beat the Sevilla player’s figure.

In 2021, the Zaria-born winger was ranked the third-best dribbler in the world by CIES after completing over 40 take-ons, ranked behind Adama Traore and Nahuel Lujan.

Ejuke, who has eight caps playing for the Super Eagles, was part of Nigeria’s squad for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, where he made two appearances as the Super Eagles got knocked out in the round of 16 by Tunisia.

Pimienta and Sevilla FC will hope he maintains this form in their upcoming match against Deportivo Alavés on Friday.