'To be honest with you' - Barnsley coach explains why summer signing Nwakali has yet to make his debut 

Speaking at the pre-match press conference before his side's League One clash against Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium, Barnsley manager Darrell Clarke revealed exactly why Kelechi Nwakali has yet to make his senior debut for the club.

The former Arsenal starlet made a return to English football in August, signing a three-year deal at Barnsley.

He was unable to begin training with his new teammates immediately after the transfer was confirmed as he was still waiting for his visa application to be processed.

Nwakali has missed the last nine matches played by South Yorkshire team, though he was called up for the games with Sheffield United and Crawley Town but remained rooted to the bench.

During the international break this month, the 2015 Fifa U17 World Cup Golden Ball winner played for Barnsley U21s in a bid to gain match fitness.

Darrell Clarke pointed out Nwakali is not up to the same level with his teammates in terms of fitness, having missed the entirety of the six-week pre-season preparations.

"Kelechi is a mile off a little bit. To be honest with you, he needs to do what I told him to do. He needs to get fitter, more high-speed distance running, nothing I have not said to him personally," Clarke told reporters on Thursday. 

"He needs to get better in all aspects of it but we've got to also understand he's getting back and he's adapting to the English game, wo we'll keep working away with Kelechi.

"Our midfield is a strong area of the pitch and competition for places is good in here and everyone will play their part but they've got to be at it every single day."

Nwakali has not played first team football since May 10, 2024 when he lasted 45 minutes on the pitch in his final game as a GD Chaves player. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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