Rangers’ central defender Emmanuel Fernandez’s Christmas came in March as he sensationally joined the Eagles’ Four Nations’ invitational party to Turkey.
The latest Eagles’ newbie was dragged into coach Eric Chelle’s Euro net as the gaffer continues to intensify his search for diaspora Eagles.
Fernandez, London-born, had long caught the eye of the coach as soon as all the necessary actions were done to effect his switch, Fernandez was in the Eagles’ basket.
Chelle’s open love for diaspora Eagles has always been with a reason and Fernandez comes in to add more steel to the Eagles’ defence.
The Eagles’ rear line is in need of quality numbers and Fernandez with a bag full of Rangers’ goodies came in at a very good time.
The Four Nations Tournament originally scheduled to hold in Iran was forced to switch venues to Turkey as the economic and political crisis continued to rock Iran.
Fulham’s battalion commander Calvin Bassey holds the four aces in the Eagles’ central defence but in dire search of a perfect connection.
The dots are yet to be fully connected at Eagles’ central defence as Semi Ajayi, the most current pair, comes with a slight mechanical fault.
Chelle isn’t yet ready to take on vacation on this and hence, his full time search for assurances.
This, Chelle has adequately digested and not relenting in his search led him to the doorpost of the towering Rangers’ defender.
Chelle did not have to bang loudly on his door as his underground network had done a very solid job for Fernandez to effortlessly open the door without having to peep on the door hole.
Fernandez, in the bag, comes with a quality, the one Chelle is prepared to spend his last dime to land and he’s glad he’s here.
With a huge bag of caps coming from the Ibrox, 27 and counting, and a huge mainstay in the rear of manager Danny Rohl’s Rangers, Fernandez comes at a massive defensive bargain.
Since arriving from Peterborough last summer, Fernandez has refused to look back on his uncompromising Rangers’ mission, enjoying a rare debut defensive stats.
From 27 games thus far, he’s amassed a massive 2265 minutes and chalked up an impressive 88 passing accuracy.
Chelle fell head over heels in love with his clearance ability, 166 from 1742 touches thus far, a very good pass mark for a central defence of Chelle’s choice.
Battler in the air, a huge attribute in Chelle’s eyes, himself a defender in his playing days, Fernandez came out better in 68 duels and beaten 35 times.
Interceptions? Fernandez has bagged 35 of them to keep his tails up for Chelle to tap appreciatively.
Hitting the back of the net is also one attribute Rangers refused to turn a blind eye to and Fernandez has refused to disappoint. His haul of six goals from the rear is a rare one for a defender and Chelle leaves a watering mouth for it.
Gritty and a steel merchant, just like Chelle’s spec, Fernandez has incredibly received just two cautions from the men in black despite fouling opponents 35 times. Not even a faint scream of marching orders has been heard thus far making Fernandez a huge candidate for a massive scramble.
Is he a huge loss to England and a supreme gain for his roots?
Chelle thought so and so was his frantic demand for him and now an Eagle, Chelle appears to have the last laugh.
Returning Chelle’s favours will be Fernandez’s first assignment on his to-do list and the rest is in his hands.
From Rangers’ debuting super regular to Eagles’ indisputable Bassey’s pair?
Is Bassey’s missing ribs finally found?
The games at the Turkey invitational will definitely put him in the public eye to swim or sink.
Fernandez could swell a growing number of diaspora players who dumped their countries of birth for their roots.
Since Coach Clemens Westerhof resurrected the diaspora search in 1991 for Reuben Agboola after a long lull when Brazil coach Otto Gloria dug up Tunji Banjo in 1981, the trend has admirably continued with successes.
Perhaps, Fernandez’s Rangers’ mate, Tochi Chukwuani could follow in his footsteps. The 22-year old defensive midfielder, capped at youth level to Denmark, could be ready for a switch.
Meanwhile, welcome to Super Eagles, Fernandez!
IKENWA ASHIBUOGWU NNABUOGOR
