A lot of eyebrows are already rising high in Italy, following the exit of Nigerian-born defender, Honest Ahanor from Atalanta to Chelsea of England, who immediately loaned him to their fellow-London-based English Premier League rivals, Crystal Palace.
Sports247 reports that, while the move is being celebrated as a personal achievement for Ahanor, critics of Italian football have rated it yet another setback for their country’s dwindling fortunes, as highlighted in three straight FIFA World Cup misses.
Ahanor joins two other Nigerian-born players of Italian origin – Destiny Udogie at Tottenham Hotspur and Michael Kayode at Brentford – in the EPL, but his exit after just one season at Atalanta has left Italian football buffs raising dust about a mass exodus of talent.
Growing apprehension in Italy about exits of their most promising talentts, both native born and many of other ancentral oigins, has been highlighted by an erudite writer, Antonio Moschella, who noted that the lure of pounds in England has become too tempting to ignore.
Moschella opined further in an article via Tribal Football, “Some players seem destined for the Premier League. That’s the case for Ahanor, whose name is English and whose Nigerian family has historical ties to Britain, due to longstanding colonial connections.
“The move of the 2008-born player from Atalanta to Chelsea, however, is just the latest confirmation of a trend that resembles a diaspora of young Italian talents. In fact, the defender is set to become the 13th Italian player in the Premier League.
“In the 2026/27 Premier League season, there are already 12 Italian players, including the new summer arrivals. Italians who will take the field in England this year are Donnarumma, Calafiori, Savona, Chiesa, Tonali, Udogie, Kayode, Gnonto, Palestra, Ruggeri, Di Gregorio and Leoni.
“It’s clear that the prevailing trend is now to leave the Mediterranean and cross the Channel. This trend, a sad reflection of Serie A and its domestic product as a whole, is mainly due to the extremely high salaries offered by Premier League clubs. But that’s not the only reason.
“The appeal of the Premier League, which for at least a decade has been the most exciting in terms of style and intensity, is undeniable. Ahanor’s move from the relatively provincial reality of Bergamo to a London that pulls the strings of European football is certainly a sign of growth.”
On the other hand, The Eagles are celebrating, as a post on their X handle @PalaceReport read: “Crystal Palace agree deal to sign Honest Ahanor on loan from Chelsea, the eagle has landed. Verbal agreement done as Honest Ahanor joins Chelsea from Atalanta for £40m and then joins Palace on loan.”

Nasarawa United head coach Mbwas Mangut has urged his players to quickly put their opening-day disappointment behind them and respond strongly after the Solid Miners suffered a 3-1 defeat to Barau FC in their EuroMatch NPFL Matchday One encounter in Kano.

Despite the scoreline, Mangut believes his team showed enough attacking promise to have taken something from the game, describing the result as an unfortunate outcome for a side that created several opportunities.

Read Also: EuroMatch NPFL: “I’m Looking at 19 to 20 Goals” — Joseph Atule Fires Barau FC To Winning Start

Barau FC were simply more clinical when their chances arrived, turning their opportunities into goals and securing a memorable three points in their first match of the new campaign.

For Mangut, however, the performance offered something to build on.

The Nasarawa United coach acknowledged that his players created opportunities but were unable to provide the finishing touch required to punish Barau FC. The failure to convert those openings, coupled with defensive lapses, ultimately proved costly.

“We will analyse our mistakes, regroup and bounce back stronger,” Mangut said after the encounter.

Those words now set the tone for Nasarawa United’s response as the Solid Miners prepare for their next EuroMatch NPFL assignment.

Mangut’s assessment is particularly significant because it shows that the technical crew is not looking only at the result, but also at the performance and the areas that must be corrected.

The opening-day defeat has therefore provided an early lesson for a Nasarawa United side with a long campaign ahead. Creating chances is an encouraging foundation, but the team will need greater composure in front of goal while tightening up defensively if they are to turn good performances into points.

Barau FC, meanwhile, deserve credit for making the most of their opportunities. Their 3-1 victory gives the newly promoted side an ideal beginning and provides an early glimpse of the competitiveness that could define this season’s EuroMatch NPFL.

For Nasarawa United, there is no need for panic.

There is, however, a need for a response.

Mangut has made his position clear: analyse, regroup and bounce back.

And with Matchday One now providing the first lessons of the 2026/27 campaign, the next fixture gives Nasarawa United an opportunity to show that their opening defeat was only a setback—not a reflection of what this team can become in the EuroMatch NPFL.