On the final day of the transfer window, Samuel Chukwueze secured a loan move from AC Milan to Fulham.
Fulham’s head coach, Marco Silva, has made it clear to Samuel Chukwueze that earning a spot in the starting lineup will require him to outperform his rivals in the squad, according to Soccernet.ng.
Chukwueze’s switch to the Cottagers came as a season-long loan from AC Milan, prompted by his limited playing opportunities in Serie A.
During his two-year stint in Italy, the Nigerian international was largely confined to a peripheral role, rarely featuring in the starting eleven.
Since arriving in England, however, Chukwueze’s prospects for increased game time have yet to materialize.
For instance, he was omitted from the squad for the match against Leeds United two weeks ago, despite being fully fit and available.
More recently, in the home fixture against Brentford, he was included in the squad but remained an unused substitute throughout the 90 minutes.
Although it’s early days, the limited minutes have sparked speculation that Chukwueze’s playing time may remain scarce despite his move to the Premier League.
Marco Silva’s Clear Message on Chukwueze and Fulham’s New Signings
Fulham’s upcoming EFL Cup clash with Cambridge United was expected to be a platform for fringe players like Chukwueze to showcase their abilities.
Contrary to expectations, Silva has emphasized that he intends to field his strongest lineup, even against lower-league opposition.
“The players will have to wait and see what decisions I make,” Silva told The Standard.
“I don’t approach these matches with the intention of giving just a handful of players a chance. Those who have been with us longer will naturally get more minutes, which was the rationale behind their signings.
“But like all others, they must demonstrate their quality and readiness to start games.”
Despite Silva’s firm stance, it is anticipated that Chukwueze will receive some playing time, possibly even starting against Cambridge United.
At 26, the Nigerian winger faces stiff competition from teammates such as Kevin Mbabu, Adama Traoré, and Harry Wilson, making it imperative for him to capitalize on any opportunities.
Failure to impress could result in an extended period on the sidelines at Craven Cottage.
0 Comments