Fulham vs Crystal Palace: Why Super Eagles winger Chukwueze is the biggest problem in London Derby

Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze has transformed his career at Fulham in a way few predicted, turning from an underwhelming spell at AC Milan into the Premier League’s most electrifying winger.

His return to form has come just in time for one of the season’s fiercest battles: the London derby against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Since arriving on a season-long loan from Milan, the Nigerian international’s impact has been nothing short of sensational. Averaging a goal involvement every 46 minutes.

Chukwueze’s form is blazing a trail that Palace’s defence desperately wants to avoid. A recent Premier League report has named him as the single biggest problem for Crystal Palace in this crunch fixture, pointing to his pace, trickery, and balance as near impossible to contain once he gains momentum.

Marco Silva’s decision to bring Chukwueze to Craven Cottage on an initial loan, with a potential £28 million permanent deal is looking like a masterstroke. 

His dazzling dribbling and high intensity ball carries create more chances and assists than any other player in the league, making him a constant threat on Fulham’s flanks.

In just 229 minutes of top-flight action this season, Chukwueze has already made the kind of impact every Premier League team fears. 

His recent brace in a thrilling 5-4 loss against Manchester City confirmed his readiness and Fulham’s need to start him against Crystal Palace, especially after coach Silva was slammed for benching him against Pep Guardiola’s men. 

His powerful left foot and ability to beat defenders one-on-one have this Nigerian winger at the heart of Fulham’s attacking threat.

With Nigeria gearing up to face Tanzania on 23 December in the upcoming tournament, Sunday’s encounter will be Chukwueze’s last home game before leaving for AFCON 2025 with his national teammates Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey. 

For Palace and their manager Oliver Glasner, neutralising Fulham’s Nigerian dynamo will be the key to surviving one of London’s most intense football rivalries.

The London derby just became a showcase for Chukwueze’s explosive rise, proof that sometimes a fresh start is all a player needs to ignite brilliance on the biggest stage.