Fulham boss Marco Silva has challenged Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze to step up his push for a regular starting berth following another influential display from the bench.
Chukwueze, who joined Fulham on loan from AC Milan during the summer transfer window, is yet to start a Premier League match for the London club. All five of his league outings so far have been as a substitute, though he continues to make strong impressions when called upon.
The 26-year-old played a decisive role in Fulham’s 1-0 win over Sunderland last weekend, providing a precise assist that allowed Raul Jimenez to score the decisive goal. That contribution marked Chukwueze’s second assist since arriving at Craven Cottage and further underscored his attacking creativity and pace.
Speaking to Fulham’s official website, Silva expressed his delight with the winger’s growing influence but stressed that Chukwueze must now prove he can sustain that level of performance from kickoff to full-time.
“He had a huge impact. It was a great assist from him, and we’re pleased for him. Now we need him to start games and keep the intensity throughout the 90 minutes,” Silva said.
Silva’s comments signal that the Nigeria international could be edging closer to earning his first league start as Fulham look to strengthen their offensive options. The manager, however, made it clear that Chukwueze must demonstrate the consistency and work rate required to secure a permanent place in the lineup.
As the season progresses, Chukwueze will be aiming to translate his impressive cameos into full-match performances while also managing the upcoming challenge of representing Nigeria at the AFCON, which could briefly interrupt his availability for the club.
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