Gboly Ariyibi

Another superb performance of Gboly Ariyibi!

Gboly's agent states ''He plays as a winger and being two-footed he is as naturally at ease on either flank. Whilst pace and flair are his key attributes, he stands at 6 foot tall and is a good athlete too.'' Ariyibi is comfortable playing any of the attacking positions including winger, attacking midfielder and supporting striker.

Ariyibi has great pedigree and fantastic training at Southampton, this is the academy that has produced Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade Chamberlin and Adam Lallana in recent times. So they seem to know what they are doing with wingers. Not to mention Calum Chambers, Luke Shaw and James Ward Prowse who were all in the same youth team as Gboly.

Photo taken in Dallas, Texas

Born in West Virgina, USA, Gboly moved to London at just two months old and then onto Oxford as a 2 year old. In 2005 he joined Southampton after being scouted playing for his Oxfordshire side Quarry Rovers. As a youngster Gboly was smaller than most of his team mates relying on his quick feet and skills to give him an advantage. In the 2012/13 season he was named as one of the home-grown U21 on Southampton's official squad list. In June 2013 Ariyibi was released by current Spurs and former Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino. 

In December 2013 Ariyibi was signed by Leeds United manager Brian McDermott.

McDermott said: "He’s only 18 and we kind of knew him already. He played in a couple of games and took part in some training sessions and he looks like he’s got a chance. He’s quite an exciting player - very, very quick. He’s a great lad too. He really wanted to sign for us and he’s been training with the first team. He looks good."

In more recent times during his time at Chesterfield FC the 6 footer has now bulked up and this has seen him earn a call up by the US National U20 side.

The Daniel Sturridge look-a-like will still need more time to develop as a player and Paul Cook will aim to keep his feet firmly planted as he progresses as a player. He is a great asset for the Spireites who are already blessed with many good technical dribblers of the ball in the attacking midfield positions, but Gboly's pace and flair offers a different option on the wing or down the middle. Now Ariyibi has impressed he will be hoping to cermet his place in the side and reach his full potential.