Eric Chelle, the newly appointed coach of the Super Eagles, has made his intentions clear—he will prioritise attacking football.
“I love attacking football, this is my philosophy,” the Malian said at his unveiling. “Football is about scoring goals.”
This approach, which emphasises aggressive and focused play, is set to redefine the team's strategy as they aim for 2026 World Cup qualification.
Chelle's preference for a diamond midfield, with an attacking midfielder at the tip, raises questions about which players will thrive and who might struggle under this new system.
Winners
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
One of the biggest beneficiaries of Chelle's attacking philosophy is likely to be Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
In the Malian trainer's diamond midfield, the attacking midfielder plays a crucial role, often tasked with making runs into the box and scoring goals.
Dele-Bashiru's ability to penetrate defences and his knack for finding the net make him an ideal fit for this position.
Victor Boniface
Victor Boniface is another player who stands to gain from Chelle's tactical approach.
The Malian's preference for a split front two allows strikers to roam wide and exploit spaces, which aligns perfectly with Boniface's playing style.
Known for his ability to drift to the flanks and create scoring opportunities, Boniface is expected to thrive.
His versatility and adaptability will make him a valuable asset in the new regime, potentially boosting his contributions to the team.
Raphael Onyedika
The diamond midfield system requires a strong, disciplined holding midfielder, and Raphael Onyedika fits the bill perfectly.
His defensive prowess, composure, and ability to break up opposition plays make him indispensable in Chelle's formation.
The Club Brugge midfielder's role will be pivotal in providing the necessary balance and stability, allowing the more attacking players to express themselves freely.
His importance in this system is likely to grow, solidifying his place as a mainstay in the Super Eagles lineup.
Losers:
Moses Simon
Moses Simon may find himself on the periphery under Chelle's new regime.
The diamond system typically does not utilise traditional wingers, which could limit Simon's opportunities to shine.
Known for his pace and dribbling skills on the flanks, the Nantes winger might struggle to adapt to a system that prioritises central play and attacking midfielders over wide players.
His role in the team may diminish unless he can adapt to a more central or versatile role.
Samuel Chukwueze
Similarly, Samuel Chukwueze faces a challenging transition under Chelle's tactics.
As a winger, Chukwueze's strengths lie in his ability to take on defenders and deliver crosses from wide positions.
However, with the diamond midfield eliminating the need for wingers, Chukwueze may find his contributions limited. Unless he can reinvent himself to fit into Chelle's preferred formation, his prominence in the squad might decrease.
A road to relevance could be found if Chukwueze were willing to amend his game in order to play as part of a front two, as his speed in behind as well as his ability to play in wide areas could be useful assets.
