This piece looks at three Nigerian players, Iwobi, Moses and Aina who have a point to prove with the ICC.
After different levels of underwhelming performances last season and at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Alex Iwobi and Victor Moses have resumed pre-season with their respective club sides.
Iwobi is currently in Singapore with Arsenal getting to know his new manager Unai Emery while Moses is at Cobham Training Centre with just a few teammates while Chelsea are in Australia for a pre-season tour.
Before the season kicks off, both of them will get the chance to impress their new bosses in the International Champions Cup (ICC).
The ICC is an annual club association football exhibition competition which features club teams from Europe playing pre-season friendly matches.
Arsenal and Chelsea will both play ICC games in different parts of the world before they clash on Wednesday, August 1 in Dublin.
For these two Nigerian players, the ICC present a very challenging opportunity to prove a point to their new bosses.
Iwobi and Moses will have to show Emery and Maurizio Sarri that they deserve a spot in their respective plans.
In need of a spark
Having lost his way after a brilliant start to his senior football career, Iwobi is in dire need of a spark which he failed to get at the World Cup.
Fortunately for him, news out of the Emirates is that Emery wants him and that the 22-year-old is set to sign a new contract.
However, Iwobi needs a strong showing at the ICC games to regain some confidence in himself and that of his manager.
Forward or fullback
Unlike his compatriot, Moses is not with his side for their pre-season tour of Australia but he should be able to join up with Chelsea ahead of the ICC games against Inter Milan and Arsenal.
Moses was one of the beneficiaries of the three-man defence-stint of Antonio Conte but under Sarri, the 27-year-old Nigeria international faces uncertainties over his future at the club.
Can he impress as a forward or as a full-back? These questions will be answered after the ICC games.
Breakout star
Another Nigerian Ola Aina is also in the conversation when it comes to the 2018 ICC. The young full-back is in Chelsea’s squad for their pre-season tour of Australia and is likely to make it to Sarri’s team sheet for the ICC games.
Over the years Chelsea have not had good records of players from the academy going to make the first team. The arrival of Sarri who is known to develop players could give the likes of Aina more confidence that he can be the next breakout star from the Chelsea academy.
Arsenal ICC fixtures:
Thursday, July 26
Atletico Madrid Vs Arsenal to be played in Singapore (12:35pm Nigerian time)
Saturday, July 28
Arsenal Vs PSG to be played in Singapore (12:35pm Nigerian time)
Wednesday, August 1
Chelsea Vs Arsenal to be played in Dublin (8:05pm Nigerian time)
Chelsea ICC fixtures
Saturday, July 28
Chelsea Vs Inter Milan to be played in France (7:05PM)
Wednesday, August 1
Arsenal vs Chelsea to be played in Dublin (8:05PM)