Barnsley manager Darrell Clarke heaped praise on Kelechi Nwakali after the Nigerian midfielder put up a brilliant performance in his full League One debut during Barnsley's 2-1 win over Exeter City at St. James Park on Saturday.
With Adam Phillips suspended, Nwakali was handed his first league start since joining Barnsley.
The former Golden Eaglets star, who had previously made four substitute appearances in League One, seized the opportunity with a commanding display in midfield.
“Kelechi played really well. I have been really happy with his development since he came into the club. Obviously, chasing him with getting his fitness levels up, now you're starting to see him a lot fitter, a lot sharper. We know the talent he's got, technically.” Clarke told the club media.
Nwakali’s performance in numbers
Positioned in a deep-lying role, Nwakali impressed with his composure and technical ability. He completed 93% of his passes (56 out of 60), showing his ability to keep possession and link play effectively.
He registered 72 touches, indicating how integral he was to Barnsley's build-up play. His attacking prowess was highlighted by a stunning long-range strike in the 48th minute, which brought the score level at 1-1.
The former Arsenal youngster also demonstrated his range of passing, completing six of his seven attempted long balls and delivering an accurate cross.
While he didn’t create key chances, his ability to retain possession stood out, losing the ball just six times throughout the game.
Defensively, the Nigerian midfielder showed grit, winning four of six ground duels and both aerial duels. He made one clearance and one interception while committing just one foul, highlighting his discipline in the middle of the park.
Nwakali also earned three fouls from the opposition, showing his ability to draw pressure and relieve his team at crucial moments.
