Kelechi Nwakali

Not sure how true, just seen this on Facebook

Unfortunately there are rumours that Kelechi Nwakali is not meeting his ‘check-in days’ so the club staff can monitor his fitness. He is currently training with the under 21s.

Very disappointing if true. Kelechi, with a season in English football in the bank, was one Tykes player I was excited for going into 25/26

The Reds have been off for seven weeks since finishing their last season on May 3rd.

Hopefully this isn't true as many have highlighted, we are lacking experience in the ranks and would be another blow to lose Nwakali

 

Maybe the lad isn't in the country
just maybe he's gone back to Nigeria to be with family

 

They don't return for training until Monday so he's not training with the U21s sounds like made up mischief making to me.

 

You can tell it’s a load of rubbish because no one at the club is back yet, so how can he be training with the U21s?
There must also be some kind of alternative arrangements for the overseas players. He can’t be expected to fly back from his family in Nigeria 4 times.
Sounds like someone’s making something up to me. Theres enough drama at this club already we don’t need to add any false rumours to the mix.

 

Was hoping this was to say he’s leaving if I’m honest. He’s the kind of luxury player we can’t carry if we’re playing high press football. Never really got the love in with him.

 

Agree.
I'm wondering if Russell will be allowed back much later. Given I'm not sure if he's had a break of any kind.
If Jamaica make the final of the cup competition. July 7th. Earliest this Tuesday last group game.

 

How can he not be meeting the check in times/dates but is training with the U21s.

 

I commented on the FB post and they responded to say it's a typo and he's scheduled to train with U21s from Monday.

It's just not a helpful rumour to post when things are already so negative and if it's not true they've thrown Kelechi under the bus for a few likes and comments.

 

Trying to force a move perhaps?

Not that I think he'd need to actually force one, though. I think he's a good technical footballer. Much as I think Russell is. But if we're playing high intensity, high pressing football...those two are 100% opposite of what we'd need for that to work.

 

On the ball, potentially the best in our whole team. Off the ball, may as well be sat next to me in the west stand.

I think he will be off this summer as there’s no way he can play the way that has been mentioned. I’m also not sure he “wants it” enough.

 

Russell scores goals. Play him just behind forwards and he’ll score for fun. Passes ball into the net which is always a sign of class. Nwakali offers nowt to a high press. No goal threat, can’t tackle and doesn’t track back. Wants moving on if we can.

 

But for a high press to work, every single player needs to be quick and have energy to burn. Russell is a quality player, no doubt about it, but he has zero pace and is usually blowing after 60.

 

We’ve lost Humphrys and we’re certain to lose DKD. That’s 28 of this last season’s goals gone. If Russell goes that’s another 10 gone. We’d be looking at relegation for sure…..unless Max xG comes good

 

So we can't play Baz because he's an headless chicken but yet we also can't play Russell or Nwakali because they don't run around like headless chickens
Personally I think we need graft and quality and it's up to the coaching staff to find a formula that uses the players attributes for the good of the team.

 

We need a mix of daft, headless chickens and slow, ponderous but accurate.

 

Bit like me!!

 

Russell is a quality player. Not a headless chicken. Daft to say otherwise. Baz is just Baz. No one knows what he’s doing to do even him. Nwakali is an indulgence we can’t afford.

 

Maybe his FaceTime isn’t working

 

So did he train with the first team today? Any training photos with him on?

 

There's a video on socials and I can't see him on there.