Samuel Chukwueze has been Fulham’s spark amid a slump

Could it be time for our latest Naija boy to start after the international break?

An increasing number of fans seem to dislike the international break, away from the thrills and spills of Premier League football. But for us Fulham fans, this one has come at just the right time.

Back-to-back defeats away to Villa and Bournemouth — both after taking the lead — felt like a double sucker punch. After two disallowed goals already this season, the Premier League gods aren’t smiling on Josh King. He must be the unluckiest player in the league right now. Another poor call, another wave of frustration for Marco and the Fulham faithful.

But amid the recent gloom, context is key. Fulham have never fared well on the south coast — our last win there came back in 2019, a 1-0 victory courtesy of an Aleksandar Mitrović penalty in a season already lost to relegation. Our record at Villa Park is even worse. Hugo Rodallega’s last-minute winner in a 2–1 victory back in 2014 was one of only nine wins that season, and before that, you’d have to go back to 1973 to find another. Not exactly happy hunting grounds.

Still, there were positives to take — and none brighter than the performances of our deadline day signing, Samuel Chukwueze.

It’s easy to point straight to the exquisite through ball that found Sessegnon for the opener on Friday night, but the AC Milan loanee’s all-round play got fans off their seats. Tenacious, hungry, and direct, Chukwueze looked desperate to impress Marco Silva. Every time he picked up the ball, he drove at Bournemouth left-back Adrien Truffert, causing constant problems. His introduction injected an attacking impetus that has too often been missing this season.

Breath of fresh air

It’s refreshing to see a winger who wants to take players on and attack with purpose. In an era where many wide men prefer sideways passes to suit possession-based systems, Chukwueze’s old-school drive stands out. Not that anyone would dare question Guardiola’s methods, but there’s something deeply satisfying about seeing a winger run at his man again.

With Arsenal and Newcastle up next, Chukwueze has to start. Harry Wilson’s recent displays haven’t hit the levels we expect from a player who usually relishes a derby atmosphere — but let’s be honest, he’s often better as an impact sub. Marco must take note.

Pedigree

Let’s not forget that Chukwueze was once touted as one of Europe’s brightest young talents. This is a player who netted a brace at the Bernabéu, silencing Real Madrid fans and denting their title hopes. A year earlier, his late strike against Bayern Munich sent Villarreal into the Champions League semi-final. He’s scored on the biggest stages against the biggest teams.

His move to AC Milan didn’t quite click, largely because Stefano Pioli’s 3-4-3 system failed to get the best out of him. But at Fulham, he looks liberated. The international break could be a blessing too — more time with his Nigeria teammates, and Fulham’s own Snapchat sensations, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey, will only help him settle further.

His antics at the club photoshoot this week showed a player who’s already integrated into the group — relaxed, confident, and smiling. Many fans are calling for Kevin to start, but don’t overlook Samu Chukwueze: the former Villarreal man could be the difference-maker in Fulham’s frontline.