Raphael Onyedika: 2 areas Nigerian midfielder must improve at Frankfurt

Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika has started all seven of Eintracht Frankfurt’s Bundesliga games this season, but two of his weaknesses have been evident in his start to life in Germany.

Onyedika played all 90 minutes at the Signal Iduna Park last Saturday as Frankfurt lost 1-0 to Dortmund, with Maximilian Beier scoring the decisive goal late in the game.

It was a narrow defeat that could’ve gone either way for both teams, but the Nigerian’s performance raised questions about his ability to adapt to the German top flight.

Operating in a deep midfield role, Onyedika was handed the responsibility of helping Frankfurt move the ball out from the back, connecting defence with attack and protecting the back four that involved Nnamdi Collins, a previously Nigeria-eligible defender who went on to play for Germany.

He performed some of those duties competently, keeping things tidy in midfield.

However, there were moments when he seemed content to wait for the ball rather than actively demand it, almost like a passerby in a game where he should be actively involved.

For a midfielder with the ambitions of playing at a higher level, those are areas worth examining.

2 areas Raphael Onyedika must improve at Frankfurt

1. Onyedika must be assertive in possession

Onyedika’s role at Frankfurt requires more than being available for a pass and keeping possession moving. As a deep-lying midfielder, he must help determine how his team progresses up the pitch.

Against Dortmund, there were occasions when the Nigerian appeared to have space to receive the ball but did not make himself a passing option.

When the ball got to him, he often prioritised a safe pass rather than a line breaker.

There is nothing inherently wrong with recycling possession. Elite midfielders like Andrea Pirlo and Toni Kroos did it to maintain control and avoid unnecessary turnovers. The difference is knowing when to keep the ball and when to use it to change the game.

Players in Onyedika’s position must constantly scan their surroundings, adjust their body shape before receiving and offer passing angles that help teammates beat the press. They must also recognise opportunities to break lines with forward passes or carry the ball into space when the chance is there.

The Nigerian has technical qualities to build on. His time at Club Brugge showed his ability on the ball, as he can dribble, pass and even score when required to.

At Frankfurt, the next step is to make those qualities evident. Rather than waiting for the game to involve him, Onyedika must become a midfielder who dictates how the Eagles play, demands possession under pressure and helps his team progress when the opportunity presents itself.

2. He must be effective in winning duels

The second concern is Onyedika’s physical impact, but this flaw is evident when the 25-year-old plays for the Nigerian national team

At 1.84 metres tall, the former Midtylland midfielder has the physical frame to compete in midfield. Yet against Dortmund, he appeared to shy away from challenges.

Onyedika recorded one successful tackle, one foul committed and one foul drawn in his 90 minutes. Those figures do not establish that he struggles in duels, but they underline how limited his defensive contribution was as a defensive midfielder.

The issue is not that he must turn every midfield contest into a physical battle. Effective defensive midfielders who weren’t the best duel winners relied on positioning, anticipation and timing to win the ball without committing fouls.

Onyedika needs to combine those qualities with assertiveness. He must recognise when to step forward, use his body to protect possession, compete for loose balls and challenge opponents without arriving late or making unnecessary contact.

That balance is very important in the Bundesliga, where opponents can punish hesitation in midfield. Frankfurt need a defensive midfielder who can protect the back line while also helping the team regain control when matches become intense.

These attributes helped Thiago Alcantara and Xabi Alonso thrive at Bayern Munich, and if Onyedika can learn that aspect, he’ll be unstoppable in the Bundesliga.