Why Chidera Ejuke’s Athletic Club heroics could change his Sevilla future

Super Eagles winger Chidera Ejuke may have just given Sevilla another reason to reconsider his future after producing a decisive performance in their 3-1 victory over Athletic Club, Afrik-Foot reports.

For much of the summer, the Nigerian appeared to be heading towards the exit door at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.

Sevilla had made him available for transfer as they looked to raise funds and reduce their wage bill, while Anderlecht emerged as one of the clubs interested in signing him.

Ejuke’s situation became uncertain when he was left out of Sevilla’s pre-season travelling squads, strengthening the impression that his time in Spain was coming to an end.

With no transfer materialising, Sevilla brought the 28-year-old back into their plans. He made a late appearance in the opening-day win over Rayo Vallecano and was subsequently involved again at San Mamés.

Chidera Ejuke takes his chance at San Mamés

Sevilla travelled to Athletic Club with Ejuke’s future still hanging over him, but the Nigerian responded in the most convincing way possible.

After Athletic were reduced to 10 men in the 11th minute, Sevilla took advantage of the numerical superiority and established control of the game. Oso opened the scoring before Ejuke doubled the advantage after the break.

Isaac Romero then added a third before Aitor Paredes pulled one back for Athletic, as Sevilla secured a convincing 3-1 victory.

For Ejuke, however, the significance goes beyond the goal; it was a reminder of the qualities that convinced Sevilla to sign him in the first place.

The winger’s greatest strength has always been his ability to carry the ball, attack defenders and create problems in one-on-one situations.

Those qualities can make him valuable in a Sevilla side looking for ways to hurt opponents in transition. The problem has always been consistency.

Why Sevilla were willing to let him go

It would be easy to look at Ejuke’s goal and conclude that Sevilla made a mistake by trying to sell him.

That would be premature. The club’s decision was understandable given his output last season. Ejuke made 27 La Liga appearances in 2025/26 but started only five matches, scoring once and providing one assist.

Sevilla were also operating under financial pressure and wanted to generate funds from player sales.

His situation was not about a lack of talent. It was about whether his talent was producing enough on a consistent basis to justify keeping him, but San Mamés has at least given the Nigerian an opportunity to change the conversation.

The timing could not have been better

Ejuke’s performance arrived at an interesting moment. Sevilla had already tried to facilitate his departure. Anderlecht were prepared to make a €3.5m bid, but the move did not materialise.

With the transfer failing to happen, Ejuke suddenly found himself with another opportunity at Sevilla.

He now has to take it. His appearance against Rayo Vallecano suggested that Luis García Plaza was prepared to use him if circumstances demanded it.

His display against Athletic Club went a step further by showing that he can still have a significant impact when given responsibility.

The biggest danger is treating the Athletic Club performance as the conclusion of the story when it should be the beginning.

Chidera Ejuke has already demonstrated throughout his career that he possesses the ability to produce spectacular moments.

His career in Norway, the Netherlands, Russia and Belgium was built largely around that individual quality to excite and beat defenders, while Sevilla signed him as a free agent in 2024 after his contract with CSKA Moscow expired.

What Sevilla needs now is consistency. One goal at San Mamés is encouraging. Five or six consecutive performances that force García Plaza to keep him in the starting XI would be transformative.

The next step is proving that this was not just another flash of brilliance, but the start of the consistency that has eluded him throughout his career.