Pundits posit Awoniyi ranks highly among EPL strikers, better than Chelsea’s Jackson

Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi made a welcome return to the Nottingham Forest starting line-up on Sunday as the Reds beat Aston Villa 2-0 at the City Ground.

Awoniyi did not add to his tally of three goals and two assists, but he did play a big part in Orel Mangala's goal with strong hold-up play and a pass to Harry Toffolo, who teed up Mangala to score from long range.

The Nigeria international has established himself as first choice number nine at the City Ground under Steve Cooper and his performances could catch the interest of the Premier League's elite in time.

With that in mind, Garibaldi Red podcast host Matt Davies to discuss Awoniyi's talent with Sky Sports commentator Seb Hutchinson as they look at where he ranks among Premier League strikers currently. Here is a transcript of what was said.

For Hutchinson, Awoniyi, “ He looks like he enjoys himself. Even when puts a pass astray he's got a smile on his face to say he'll have a go next time. The players look for him. The number of times you wanted that pass to in behind the high line of Villa.

For Davies, comparing Awoniyi to a player in the top six EPL clubs? Or the mid-table teams? Or the relegation ones? “I wouldn't pit him against Haaland obviously. Maybe I would against Darwin Nunez, but in the bracket from West Ham to Everton, ninth to 16th, I think he's the best of them.’’

Hutchinson asked Davies if he would take Awoniyi Dominic Calvert-Lewin over him when fit. The answer was no.

Hutchinson also posits that Brentford has Ivan Toney “Obviously, if you look at mid-table teams and you have Manchester United and Chelsea in there right now.”

Davies argues that “Toney's elite and no disrespect to Brentford, but I'd say he's above a mid-table team. He needs to go to a club like Arsenal. I'd certainly take Awoniyi over Nicolas Jackson. I've not seen a worse hat-trick than the one he got on Monday for Chelsea.”

Hutchinson then said, “ It's a fair shout. Fulham needs a number nine. Palace has had issues so yes, I think Awoniy, I even not fully fit, you can see his importance. The way Forest plays, he's the perfect striker. He can run the channels and hold the ball up. Sometimes he has to be the battering ram and others might gain from that.”

Davies believes Awoniyi will stay at Forest in the long term, “I can see him staying for a long time. Will teams take a punt on a guy with his injury record? He never plays 90 minutes. Would you gamble £60million on him, or whatever he would cost?”

Hutchinson agrees with Davies, “ I could definitely see him staying for a long time. Would he want to move? Players have that power, but he seems really happy and they play to his strengths. They seem a team moving up the table. The teams below them don't seem to be on Forest's level.