He should have been playing in a bigger league - Eric Chelle backs Super Eagles star to shine after move

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has expressed confidence in Tochukwu Nnadi’s ability to thrive at Olympique Marseille following the Nigerian midfielder’s move to the Ligue 1 giants.

Nnadi completed his transfer to Marseille on Monday, joining from Belgian Pro League outfit Zulte Waregem in a deal reportedly worth €6 million.

The 22-year-old defensive midfielder signed a long-term contract until the summer of 2030.

Chelle, who previously worked with Nnadi at the 2025 African Cup of Nations in Morocco, believed the Super Eagles midfielder is more than ready for the step up to one of Europe’s top leagues.

“I thought he should have been playing in a bigger league a long time ago. He’s fast, strong, aggressive in winning the ball back, and can make a lot of interceptions,” Chelle told L’Équipe.

Nnadi has already begun to gain international recognition, having been included in Nigeria’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he made one appearance during the tournament.

His move to Marseille is expected to further boost his chances of becoming a regular fixture in the Super Eagles setup.