22-year-old Nwaiwu better than Chelsea’s Cucurella, joins Caicedo, Gravenberch in elite defensive list

A new analysis by the CIES Football Observatory has placed 22-year-old Nigerian defender Chibuike Nwaiwu among the world elite for ground defence, outperforming established Premier League star Marc Cucurella of Chelsea. 

Nwaiwu, a midfielder who also plays centre-back for Austrian Bundesliga side Wolfsberger AC, achieved a remarkable 89.8% performance index in the 'Ground Defence' category, a specialised metric designed by CIES to measure ground duels won and interceptions in the defensive half, adjusted for match difficulty and minutes played.

The CIES Football Observatory's performance indices rate the top 50 outfield players globally in eight different areas of play over the last six months of domestic league action. 

The 'Ground Defence' category, which prioritises a player's effectiveness in winning ground duels and making interceptions in their own half relative to their team’s average, is a key measure for defensive midfielders and aggressive centre-backs.

Leading the list is Chelsea's Ecuador international, Moises Caicedo, with a perfect 100% index score, underlining his status as the world's best defensive ground player in this timeframe. 

However, the revelation is the presence of Nwaiwu, who, with his 89.8% index, is a strong presence in the top tier of this defensive category.

Nwaiwu’s score puts him ahead of the entire list of 50 players ranked lower than him in this specific category, including Chelsea's full-back Marc Cucurella, who is ranked 41st. 

This level of performance is particularly notable given Nwaiwu's less-heralded background in the Austrian Bundesliga compared to the high-profile Premier League competition.

Nwaiwu's inclusion alongside his compatriot, Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen (ranked 22nd best finisher in the world), confirms their status as the only two Nigerians to feature across the CIES’s eight elite categories.

Nwaiwu, who made a name for himself as a utility player for NPFL giant Enyimba International, transferred to Wolfsberger AC a little over a year ago. 

His transition from the Nigerian top flight to European football has been seamless, culminating in his team winning the 2024-25 Austrian Cup, their first ever domestic trophy, where Nwaiwu played a crucial role. 

His ability to win ground duels and make timely interception, the core metrics for this index, has made him a defensive linchpin for Wolfsberger AC.

The CIES methodology adjusts for the competitive level of the league, adding significant weight to Nwaiwu’s achievement. 

The index is weighted by the sporting level of matches played and the average minutes per match to favour starting XI players who consistently perform. Nwaiwu’s high score, therefore, isn't a fluke but a testament to his sustained, high-level defensive contribution

His emergence on this global statistical platform will undoubtedly intensify the scouting spotlight on him, especially at the national level as Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle looks to improve his midfield options ahead of the World Cup playoffs. 

With an 89.8% Ground Defence Index, the 22-year-old Nigerian has firmly placed himself on the world football map.