Ethan Nwaneri to Super Eagles: 3 players who could lose their place if Chelle picks Arsenal loanee

The NFF have reportedly opened talks with Ethan Nwaneri over the possibility of a switch from England to don the Green and White colours of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

The 19-year-old attacking midfielder is eligible to represent Nigeria as he was born in England to a Nigerian father and an English-French mother.

Nwaneri’s ability to play as an advanced No. 8, a central attacking midfielder or on the right of the attack could offer the Super Eagles another outlet. However, fitting him into Chelle’s preferred 4-3-1-2 formation, or 4-4-2 diamond, would require some tactical adjustments.

In this piece, Afrik-Foot breaks down three players who might have to exit Chelle’s preferred team to accomodate the Borussia Dortmund midfielder.

3 Super Eagles stars who could lose their place to Ethan Nwaneri

1. Frank Onyeka

Onyeka could be the most vulnerable if Chelle wants to pair Iwobi and Nwaneri as two box-to-box midfielders in front of a holding midfielder.

The Coventry City midfielder brings pressing intensity, ball-winning ability and energy, qualities that help Nigeria recover possession and protect their defence.

However, if Ndidi anchors the midfield, Chelle could decide that Iwobi and Nwaneri offer better control and creativity in front of him, although that would be for some specific games as the demands of African football are very different.

Such a change would give Nwaneri more opportunities to receive the ball between the lines and combine with Nigeria’s forwards, while Iwobi could continue dictating the tempo through his passing.

The trade-off would be defensive. Removing Onyeka would reduce the midfield’s pressing and ball-recovery capacity, meaning the remaining players would need to work harder out of possession.

2. Samuel Chukwueze

Chukwueze faces a different threat because Nwaneri can also operate from the right flank.

The Milan winger is quick and has the ability to beat defenders in one-on-one situations. Nwaneri, meanwhile, tends to move inside, combine with teammates in little pockets and influence attacks from central areas.

If Chelle wants more technical control and more combinations around the penalty area, Nwaneri is easily an alternative to Chukwueze on the right.

However, the decision would depend on the opponent. Against teams defending deep, Nwaneri’s creativity could be useful, while Chukwueze’s acceleration and ability to stretch a defence could be useful when Nigeria have space to attack.

3. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

Dele-Bashiru is another midfielder whose role could be affected by Nwaneri’s arrival.

The Lazio midfielder offers physicality and the ability to carry the ball into dangerous areas. Those qualities differ from Nwaneri’s creative approach, but both could compete for an advanced midfield position depending on Chelle’s formation.

If Nwaneri operates as a No. 10 behind two strikers, Dele-Bashiru could find himself competing for a place among the central midfielders.

Alternatively, in a system featuring two advanced No. 8s, the coach would have to decide whether he needs Dele-Bashiru’s athleticism or Nwaneri’s creativity.

Dele-Bashiru’s ability to contribute goals from midfield could still make him an important option, particularly when Nigeria need to win duels and move the ball high up the pitch.

Nwaneri could change the midfield balance

Nwaneri’s potential arrival would give Chelle another way to unlock compact defences, but it would not guarantee the teenager a starting place.

The biggest decision could be whether to retain Onyeka’s defensive work alongside Ndidi or introduce a more creative partnership between Iwobi and Nwaneri. Chukwueze and Dele-Bashiru would also face competition depending on the formation and opposition.

For Eric Chelle, the challenge would be finding a balance that maximises Nwaneri’s talent without sacrificing the defensive structure that the team needs.