Why Samuel Chukwueze Was Left Out of Fulham Squad vs Leeds
Fulham manager Marco Silva has explained why new signing Samuel Chukwueze was not included in the squad for their 1-0 win over Leeds United at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
Chukwueze, who joined Fulham on loan from AC Milan on transfer deadline day, only linked up with his teammates late last week after international duty with Nigeria. The 25-year-old winger has played just 37 minutes of competitive football this season, but Silva stressed that his omission was due to lack of preparation, not injury.
“It was almost impossible for Chukwueze to be involved in this game because he doesn’t even know the names of all his teammates,” Silva said. “He signed on the last day of the transfer window, then travelled with the national team, and only returned on Thursday. He has had just two training sessions with us.”
The coach added that new players need time to adapt, both on and off the pitch. “Before they play, they must understand what to do in each moment of the game. They also need to settle in, even with simple things like finding a house instead of living in a hotel,” he explained.
Fulham, who also signed striker Kevin on deadline day, left it late to secure victory over Noah Okafor’s Leeds United. A stoppage-time own goal from Gabriel Gudmundsson gave the Cottagers all three points.
Chukwueze is expected to be eased into the team in the coming weeks as he looks to form an attacking partnership with fellow Nigerians Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey.
