Chelsea's English midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka runs with the ball. (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
Young Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka reveals that he wants to stay at the club and fight for his place in the team but admits to doubt about his short-term future.
The England youth international, who was signed for £20m from Aston Villa last summer, had an underwhelming first season at Stamford Bridge.
The 19-year-old only managed to make 15 appearances in all competitions for the Blues last season, amassing a total of mere 362 minutes on the field (Transfermarkt).
Here’s what Chukwuemeka said ahead of Chelsea’s pre-season tour to the USA to ramp up their preparations for the campaign ahead (h/t Sky Sports, via Birmingham Mail):
“[Pochettino]’s come in and said that he sees the talent that he wants to develop and help develop me. Whether that’s in a month or six months, but I want to stay and prove to everyone what I can do, and help the club. At the end of the day we’ll sit down and come together to decide what’s best for me.”
What those quotes tell us is that while the player is confident about developing his game under Mauricio Pochettino, there is a thought at the back of his head about discussing the future at the club.
With Chelsea selling a lot of midfielders and not signing any so far, there is room for the likes of Chukwuemeka to barge in and claim their regular spot in the starting XI.
The 19-year-old is a playmaker who can operate as a number 10, as an attacking number eight or as a winger. He is technically strong on the ball and does not shirk away from physical battles in the midfield.
If Pochettino wants to play the 4-2-3-1 system, there might be a slot for Chukwuemeka to play the number 10 role behind the striker. This could allow the manager to play Christopher Nkunku as a nine and have wingers on either side of him.
Coming back to Chukwuemeka, he is a talented player who needs time and guidance to succeed in a Chelsea shirt. There is hope that under the current manager, the Englishman would shine and get better.
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