Samuel Chukwueze’s model for Premier League-busting efficiency

Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze has hit a level of output in England that few expected this quickly.

After struggling to find rhythm at AC Milan, the Nigerian has settled into the Premier League with an efficiency that stands out across the division. In 229 minutes for Fulham, he already has two goals and three assists, a return that places him among the most productive players in the league this season.

What makes his start remarkable is the consistency across short bursts. Chukwueze has been used mostly off the bench, yet he has influenced almost every match he has featured in. Sky Sports data shows he is averaging a goal involvement every 46 minutes, the best rate recorded by any Premier League player with at least 200 minutes this season. It is a small sample, but the impact is clear.

The path to this run has been shaped by steady trust from Marco Silva. Bit-part minutes at first, then longer cameos, then a start. Each step has strengthened his presence in the squad and reignited his confidence.

Now he walks into December as one of Fulham’s most dangerous outlets, with his rhythm arriving just as the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) edges closer for the Super Eagles.

What Chukwueze form means for the Super Eagles ahead of AFCON 2025

Fulham eased Chukwueze in gently. Ten minutes against Aston Villa, replacing Harry Wilson. Twenty-three minutes at Bournemouth, again for Wilson, and that cameo brought an assist in a 3-1 win. Wolves and Everton followed with similar introductions, each time as the spark from the bench.

After the November international break, his impact sharpened further. He delivered the match-winning assist in a tight 1-0 victory over Sunderland, once again stepping on as the difference-maker. That earned him a first league start, and he made the most of it, an assist and a strike off the woodwork in a 2-0 triumph over Spurs.

Then came the moment that fully announced Chukwueze’s return: athome against Manchester City, entering with Fulham 3-1 down and striking twice to drag the game into a 5-4 thriller. It was the type of cameo that shifts a manager’s thinking.

So where does he sit now? Better as a starter or as a super-sub? His record leans toward the latter. Most of his contributions have come off the bench, often against tired legs. But that doesn’t diminish his value as a starter; it only highlights his unpredictability.

The Super Eagles can use both versions in Morocco, depending on the state of each match and the balance of the frontline.