Fulham manager Marco Silva insists Samuel Chukwueze is nearing a place in the starting lineup, though he must still prove he’s fully ready to claim the role, SportPremi reports.
The Nigerian international completed a move to the club from AC Milan in the summer, but is yet to start a game since his arrival.
However, he has already made six appearances in all competitions for the Cottagers – five in the English Premier League and one additional game in the EFL Cup, providing two assists.
He came on in the second half of last weekend’s 1-0 win over Sunderland and delivered the assist for Raul Jimenez’s winner in the closing stages of the encounter.
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Chukwueze spent only 26 minutes on the pitch, and completed the most dribbles and also created the most chances for his side in the match.
The Super Eagles winger is also said to have put himself in contention to earn a starting berth for the first time under Marco Silva in the coming games.
Marco Silva speaks on Chukwueze’s starting chances for Fulham
Fulham visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night to face the Europa League winners as they hope to record consecutive victories in the league.
In his prematch duties ahead of the clash, Marco Silva spoke to interviewers about the outstanding Super Eagles winger.
“If you look in 3 months, how many times he was out of this club was too long for a new player.
I have the privilege to see him in the sessions, doing the type of things that he adds differently for us – creativity, last pass, last definition”, the Fulham manager stated.
“I’m pleased with him, but I have to see more. It’s not his fault that I have to see more. I think all the context didn’t give us the chance to see more.
“I need to see more in session and more time in games to see the adaptation for the intensity, for the aggressiveness in the right way that PL demands from players. He is a very good player I knew before. That he has the talent I knew before”, the Portuguese continued.
Super Eagles trio in the spotlight in the London derby
While it is almost certain that Samuel Chukwueze will start Saturday’s clash against Tottenham Hotspur on the bench, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey are both expected to start for Fulham.
The former will make his 304th English Premier League appearance, while the latter will make his 12th start from 13 league matches for the club this season.
It promises to be an exciting London derby with the kickoff expected to be by 9 PM.
