Christantus Uche has been one of Nigeria's breakout stars in 2024, earning a surprising move from Ceuta to Getafe. The former U23 international has seen his stock rise significantly, going from amateur football in Nigeria to La Liga stardom in just two years.
The 21-year-old Owerri-born midfielder has already endeared himself to Getafe fans, especially after scoring on his La Liga debut against Athletic Bilbao. However, since that goal, Uche has struggled to replicate such moments in the final third.
Despite his lack of goals, he has delivered impressive performances, which have made him the third most fouled player in the league, with 43 fouls drawn in 20 games this season.
Lack of defensive midfield minutes
While Uche has proven his worth in La Liga, his versatility has been both a strength and a potential hindrance to his Super Eagles prospects.
José Bordalás has deployed him predominantly as a false nine or an advanced midfielder this season, leaving his natural position as a central defensive midfielder largely untested.
Uche has played 15 times as a centre-forward and seven times as a support striker this season, amassing 1497 minutes of play. In contrast, his reputation as a ball-winning midfielder stems from his time before Getafe, where he featured as a central defensive midfielder in 31 games.
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle is currently spoilt for choice in the defensive midfield position. Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, and Raphael Onyedika have consistently performed at club level; Uche, who has not been deployed as a defensive midfielder this season, does not offer a compelling case to displace these established options.
Misplaced expectations from fans
Calls for Uche’s Super Eagles inclusion may stem from his pressing ability as a forward, but this argument lacks merit. His offensive stats – one goal in 20 La Liga games, 2.41 expected goals (xG), and a scoring frequency of 1497 minutes – are far from the standards required for a forward in Africa's most successful national team.
If Uche is to stake a claim for a Super Eagles spot, he must demonstrate consistency and output in his current position or move back to his natural position. Currently, his lack of game time as a defensive midfielder leaves little room for such an argument.
The Super Eagles prospect is undeniably a promising talent with a bright future. However, his current deployment at Getafe does not align with the requirements for a senior team call-up.
A national team invitation remains unwarranted until he showcases his defensive midfield abilities at the club level or significantly improves his offensive contributions.
