Chukwueze is playing like a new signing as Tomori talks about life on the bench in Chelsea

Super Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze, similarly to last summer, had a good pre-season before trailing off in Serie A. However, he has been offered a restart with a great performance in midweek.

Throughout pre-season, Chukwueze was used by Paulo Fonseca regularly, and even in training photos, we often saw the Portuguese head coach look to the winger to show the squad how to complete drills.

Since the start of the new season though, the Nigerian has faded. Christian Pulisic has been superb, which is a huge factor in this, of course, but we also must consider the fact that his performances have also lacked.

Contributions have been infrequent, which is why the game against Sassuolo is such a standout performance. The winger was untouchable and the stats showed this, he was direct and dynamic whilst also aiding defensively, which is only a positive.

For this reason, Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that he can be a ‘new purchase’ for Fonseca.

Throughout the Leao debacle, the biggest issue was seemingly the effort levels shown by Leao – which is not aimed to be a dig here at the winger, but rather a compliment towards Chukwueze – so the overall performance by the winger will greatly impress the head coach.

Now, as Gazzetta states, he must find continuity, and keep up the pace, performing to similar levels on the regular, rather than the occasional.

It is also important to remember that reports suggested the Nigerian’s position would be evaluated in January, and with the mercato approaching, his time to contribute performances is running out. Therefore, his performances must now, within reason, match the one against the Neroverdi.

Elsewhere, AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori has been speaking about his time at Chelsea.

Tomori left Chelsea for AC Milan in an initial loan deal back in 2021 before signing for the Italian club permanently.

It is a move that has paid off, with the centre-back a regular starter at Milan. He also won the Serie A title in the 2021/22 season.

In the summer, Tomori was reunited with another former Chelsea player at the San Siro, Tammy Abraham. Jose Mourinho convinced Abraham to move to Italy three years ago, signing the striker while at AS Roma.

During his time at Chelsea, Tomori did something that many of the club’s academy players have failed to do down the years: break into the first team.

However, the 26-year-old was unable to hold down a spot in the starting XI and eventually became an outcast.

For Tomori, it was a really difficult period in his career. Speaking to ITV Sport about it, he said: “It was a difficult time when I wasn’t playing. The opportunity came up with Milan, it just kind of happened and it worked out very well. It all fell into place.”

The England international was linked with a move back to the Premier League during the summer, but nothing happened in the end. It was reported that West Ham United were interested in signing Tomori.

At one stage, a return to Chelsea also seemed possible. Last season, Chelsea discussed the idea of re-signing Tomori.

That ship, however, seems to have sailed. While Wesley Fofana continues to pick up injuries, Chelsea are still well-stocked in the centre-half department.

Levi Colwill, Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo and Axel Disasi are Enzo Maresca‘s other centre-back options. Central defence is an area of the pitch where Renato Veiga can also play.

If Chelsea are going to sign another centre-back, they are likely to look at other options. It is already being reported that Chelsea are interested in Lens’ Abdukodir Khusanov, who is six years younger than Tomori.