Sevilla manager García Pimienta has shed light on why Nigerian forward Chidera Ejuke didn’t make his highly anticipated debut for the club in their Spanish La Liga opener against Las Palmas last Friday.
Despite joining the club on a free transfer from CSKA Moscow this summer and impressing during pre-season, Ejuke was surprisingly not handed his debut, sparking speculation among fans and pundits alike.
Pimienta revealed that Ejuke is “very good” and “ready to play,” but he had doubts about starting him against Las Palmas. The coach preferred Lucas Ocampos, one of Sevilla’s longest-serving players, over Ejuke in the clash.
Pimienta stated that the team was doing well in the last 15-20 minutes of the game, and he didn’t consider making a change, which ultimately meant Ejuke remained on the bench.
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Ejuke will now have to work harder to force his way into the starting lineup, with Ocampos being an established player at the club.
The Nigerian forward has been largely underwhelming in recent years, which led to him losing his place at CSKA Moscow. He will be eager to avoid the same fate at Sevilla and prove himself as a valuable addition to the squad.
Chidera Ejuke signed for Sevilla from CSk Moscow this summer
The 26-year-old took part in pre-season and also featured during the 4-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, where he was credited with the assist for Sevilla’s only goal against the Premier League giants. Ejuke will be hoping to make his debut soon and prove himself as a reliable option for Pimienta.
With Sevilla facing Villarreal tomorrow, Ejuke will be eager to make an impact and show Pimienta that he is ready for regular playing time.
The Nigerian international has been capped eight times for his country and will be looking to make a name for himself in La Liga. Ejuke’s pace, skill, and versatility make him an exciting prospect, and fans will be hoping to see him on the pitch soon.
Pimienta’s decision to not start Ejuke against Las Palmas may have been a tactical one, but it’s clear that the Nigerian forward has a lot to offer.
The season progresses and it will be interesting to see how Ejuke fits into Pimienta’s plans and whether he can establish himself as a key player for Sevilla.
