Tag: Samuel Chukwueze

Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze has revealed that a few simple words from Fulham manager Marco Silva sparked his match-winning impact in Fulham’s dramatic 2–1 comeback victory over Brighton at Craven Cottage.

Fresh from international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, Chukwueze was introduced in the 59th minute with Fulham trailing to Yasin Ayari’s first-half opener.

The substitution transformed the contest. Chukwueze’s pace and directness unsettled Brighton, and he drew Fulham level in the 72nd minute with a calm finish after a perfectly weighted pass from Joachim Andersen.

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Harry Wilson completed the turnaround deep into stoppage time, firing home the winner to send the home fans into raptures.

After the match, Chukwueze credited Silva’s encouragement for his performance.

 “The manager told me to do what I can do best,” he said. “Everything worked out today.”

The Nigerian also praised Andersen for the assist and hailed Wilson’s form, describing the Welshman as “in the form of his life.”

Chukwueze has now recorded seven goal contributions—three goals and four assists—in 10 Premier League appearances since joining Fulham on loan from AC Milan.

Fulham forward Samuel Chukwueze admitted he was delighted after scoring in the club’s dramatic comeback win over Brighton at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

Brighton had taken the lead through Alexis Mac Allister’s former teammate, but Fulham responded strongly in the second half after manager Marco Silva introduced Chukwueze to inject more pace and attacking threat. The move paid off as the Nigerian forward levelled the match.

As the game approached stoppage time, Harry Wilson delivered a decisive finish in the 90th minute, completing Fulham’s turnaround and securing all three points.

Read Also: NFF will decide my future as Super Eagles coach – Chelle

“I am so happy for the team and also my goal. We needed that win; it was tough to come back, so it was a good game for us.” Chukwueze said after the game.

“The manager told me to do what I can do best. Everything worked out today. It was a fantastic pass from Andersen. I have to give him credit when I get into the dressing room.

“Harry Wilson is in the form of his life. He deserves it. He has been incredible throughout the season,” he added.

Nigeria forward Samuel Chukwueze believes the Africa Cup of Nations should be given the same level of respect as the World Cup and the European Championship following controversy over the timing of the tournament in Morocco.

Initially scheduled to take place in the summer, this year’s AFCON was scheduled for December 21-January 18, depriving leading European clubs of key players participating in it at a crucial stage of the domestic season.

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“Everybody wants to play in AFCON. It’s one of the best competitions in the world,” Chukwueze told On Sports TV. “You have to respect the AFCON the same way you respect the European Championship or World Cup.”

The Fulham winger will miss six games for his club if Nigeria reach the round of 16.

“We understand they scheduled it at the wrong time of the year, but when it’s important, if you get recalled you have to go,” he said.

“You don’t have any choice, your club can’t stop you and no one should say anything bad about the AFCON. Yes, they put it at the wrong time, but saying it’s not a good competition or a great competition is unacceptable.”

Chukwueze helped Nigeria secure an opening 2-1 win over Tanzania in Group C ahead of their second game against Tunisia tomorrow.

Fulham and Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze has revealed his delight with the way he’s gotten off to a good start at the Craven Cottage, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 26-year-old was a deadline day loan recruit from AC Milan, but injury problems saw him limited to very few minutes, considering he had to represent Nigeria on International duty three times.

However, the one-time FIFA U-17 World Cup winner has found his creative feet again of late, and has four goal contributions in his last three games for Marco Silva’s side, including a brace against Manchester City.

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The former Villareal man filled the headlines after his brace on Erling Haaland’s Premier League centurion goal marker.

Still, he’s delighted to have found his scoring touch again and thanked Fulham’s coach for pushing him to be a better footballer.

“I think I’m happy, very happy about the form I’m in and everything,” the one-time UEFA Europa League winner said in an interview on Fulham’s official website.

“I think the most important thing is the coach who’s been pushing me more to work hard and remain focused, no matter the impact on the game.

“Every game is a new game, whether or not I get assists, I just have to keep my feet ready, whether ten or twenty minutes, I have to be ready to give everything.

Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle faces a potential setback ahead of next month’s crucial World Cup qualifying playoff against Gabon, with Fulham winger Samuel Chukwueze still recovering from an injury sustained earlier this month.

Chukwueze was unavailable for selection in Fulham’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal last weekend after sustaining a calf injury while on international duty during Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Benin’s Cheetahs on October 14.

Scans have revealed that the injury is worse than initially feared, with Fulham boss Marco Silva confirming during his pre-match press conference on Thursday that the AC Milan loanee will not travel to Newcastle United on Saturday.

Providing an injury update, the Portuguese tactician revealed that while some players have returned to contention, others, including Chukwueze, remain sidelined.

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When asked if there was any positive injury news in his squad, Silva said: “Some good news or fresh news, and some others not so good, unfortunately for us.

“Starting from the back, Kenny was already involved in the last game – not 100 per cent, but he was already on the bench. He has had a good week so far and he is going to be in contention for the game.

“Joachim Andersen, as we expected and as I mentioned after the match, has a muscle injury. It’s not so serious, but he is going to be out and not available for the Newcastle match, Antonee Robinson neither, as well, and all the others still the same. Chukwueze is still out, Rodrigo out.”

When asked about potential return dates for Chukwueze and Rodrigo Muniz, Silva revealed that the Brazilian is expected to be back in action ahead of the Nigerian.

Nigerian winger to complete €25m deal from Milan  

Milan forward Samuel Chukwueze is expected in London for his medical tests with Fulham.

A deal that had already been set up with great confidence in recent days, though there had been a pause at one point due to other market factors.

Now, the winger is on the verge of leaving Milan to join the English club.

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The deal looks set to be completed for a fee of around €25 million, including bonuses.

Chukwueze heads for fresh start at Fulham after failing to impress at Milan

Nigerian international Chukwueze signed for Milan from La Liga side Villarreal in 2023, signing a five year deal with the Rossoneri. The winger was an important player in Spain, helping the club lift the Europa League in 2020-21 but he failed to impress in Lombardy.

In 69 appearances for the Rossoneri in all competitions, the winger has scored just eight goals and has failed to truly make his mark.

Samuel Chukwueze may soon be teaming with Nigerian  compatriots  at the Craven Cottage with Fulham and AC Milan  reportedly in advanced talks over a €25 million deal for  the winger after weeks of negotiations.

The Cottagers presently  house  Nigerian duo of striker Alex Iwobi  and defender Charles Bassey  but according to Calciomercato, the 26-year-old Chukwueze has been in talks with Fulham for weeks and the deal is now closer than ever to being completed.

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Chukwueze has struggled to establish himself as a starter since joining AC Milan from Villarreal back in 2023, making 72 appearances, scoring eight goals, and providing six assists.

It’s understood that Fulham tried to sign the Nigeria international in January, but AC Milan refused to sanction a loan deal with an option to buy.

Fulham boss Marco Silva has grown frustrated with the club’s lack of transfer activity this summer, with their only incoming being that of back-up goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte.

Turkish  giants Fenerbahçe have reportedly  entered the race to sign Super Eagles winger, Samuel Chukwueze from AC Milan, joining local rivals Beşiktaş in their pursuit of the winger.

Fenerbahçe’s football director, Devin Özek, has accordingly  requested a meeting with Chukwueze’s agent, who is currently in Turkey for discussions with Beşiktaş over the same player.

Read Also: Tinubu, NFF, others lead tributes for Peter Rufai

Beşiktaş remain a strong contender for the Super Eagles star, as both clubs seek to bolster their attacking options ahead of the new season.

Chukwueze, who is capable of playing on both flanks, joined AC Milan in the summer of 2023 from Villarreal for a fee of approximately €21 million. He is currently under contract with the Serie A club until 2028.

Liverpool and AC Milan will face off  today in a pre-season friendly in Hong Kong in a repeat of the 2005 and 2007 Champions League finals.

Milan have already been in action in the Far East earlier this week (when  Nigeria International  Samuel Chukwueze star as substitute for Alexis Saelemeeekers), while this will be just Liverpool’s second match of the summer, after a trip to Preston North End at the start of the month.

It will be tough to improve on such a dominant league campaign, but Liverpool evidently have their sights set on even more for 2025-26.

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Arne Slot led Liverpool to the Premier League title using a squad moulded by Jurgen Klopp, but the Dutch boss is stamping his footprint all over the side now, with numerous high-profile additions this summer.

Hugo Ekitike is the next man who has come through the door for big money this summer, joining Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, and English record signing Florian Wirtz, as Liverpool seek to retain the title they wrestled off Manchester City in May.

After taking their foot off the pedal, failing to win any of their final four games of the season, Liverpool beat Preston 3-1 at Deepdale on their return to action, and on a sombre day, in their first outing since the tragic death of fan favourite Diogo Jota.