"A flamboyant, dominating midfielder who's in the Paul Pogba mould."
Those were the words Aston Villa journalist Ashley Preece said to football.london earlier in the year when asked about the play-style of Carney Chukwuemeka. "He's very much a No.8 or a No.10, a player who likes to do damage in and around the edge of the 18-yard box. A great dribbler and driver with the ball."
Chelsea confirmed the £20million signing of Chukwuemeka in early August. It was a signing that came from nowhere. It was a statement of Todd Boehly's intent with the American plugging money into youth players over the summer.
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For Chukwuemeka, 18, it was slightly different, though. This is someone who had first-team opportunities at Aston Villa and was very highly rated by manager Steven Gerrard. He chose to leave Villa Park, though, when Chelsea came calling.
football.london was told after he made the £20m move to Chelsea that former head coach Thomas Tuchel spoke to the teenager and assured him of opportunities in the first team. So, when Tuchel was relieved of his duties just over a month later, things may not have been so certain for Chukwuemeka.
However, under Graham Potter, Chukwuemeka has now appeared twice in the Premier League. He made his debut for the club in the win over Wolves earlier in the month, but that was only a four-minute-cameo for the former Villa man.
On Wednesday evening, though, against Brentford, there were some proper minutes for the England youth international. Chukwuemeka replaced Mason Mount on 62 minutes as Potter looked for inspiration for a winning goal in the capital.
Unfortunately, Chukwuemeka was unable to provide that magic touch, but he left Chelsea supporters in awe on social media with his half-hour-cameo. Some bright touches and penetrating runs certainly caught the eye. It was surprising to see just how quick he is when he gets going as well.
It was a rare outing in the first team for the teenage sensation, but he has now put himself in contention for an appearance against Manchester United at the weekend. Realistically, Potter won't start Chukwuemeka in what is shaping up to be a huge match, but there could be an opportunity for some minutes at Stamford Bridge. Potter trusts his young players – he's shown that in his early days as head coach of Chelsea and when he was in charge down at Brighton & Hove Albion.
With N'Golo Kante injured for the remainder of 2022, there is one more spot in midfield for Chukwuemeka. He certainly did nothing wrong on Wednesday. Here's to more of the same from Chelsea's next star.
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