Nigeria’s Super Eagles midfielder Kelechi Nwakali has been relegated to the U21 team of English League One side Barnsley FC, following what club head coach Conor Hourihane described as disciplinary and attitude-related issues, reports Nigeriasoccernet.com.
The former Arsenal midfielder joined Barnsley on a three-year deal two summers ago and featured 26 times in his debut season, contributing with his creativity and passing range. However, the 2025/26 campaign has taken a downward turn for the 26-year-old, who is yet to make a single first-team appearance this term.
Addressing the situation, Hourihane confirmed that Nwakali’s absence from the senior squad is due to disciplinary reasons and a perceived lack of alignment with the club’s football philosophy.
“Do I see him breaking back in? Probably not, if I’m being totally honest,” Hourihane said. “It’s the same message from the summer. We’re looking for the best scenario for both the club and the player. I just don’t see him fitting into the way we want to play, being really energetic, aggressive, and high-tempo.”
Reports from local media indicate that Barnsley tried to offload Nwakali during the summer transfer window, but no agreement was reached with potential suitors. Since then, the Nigerian midfielder has been training and featuring regularly for the club’s U21 side in an effort to maintain match fitness.
Nwakali, once considered one of Nigeria’s brightest young talents after captaining the Golden Eaglets to FIFA U17 World Cup glory in 2015, has struggled to find consistent form in Europe. His career has seen stints across Spain, Portugal, and England, but recurring off-field issues and lack of stability have hindered his progress.
With the January transfer window on the horizon, both Barnsley and Nwakali may look to part ways in search of a fresh start, a move that could help revive his career and restore his prospects of returning to the Super Eagles setup.