How Chukwuemeka has forced himself into Chelsea consideration

Robin Bairner

17 Sep 2022 14:51 CDT
3 min read

Carney Chukwuemeka, Chelsea, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Chelsea picked up a 2-1 victory over Brighton in the closed-door friendly at the Amex Stadium on Saturday, but the big winner was really Carney Chukwuemeka, who bagged both of the goals for Graham Potter’s side.

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While Chelsea spent a world-record sum in the summer, Chukwuemeka was one of their less heralded arrivals, despite joining from Aston Villa for €18 million (£16m).

Instead, it was the likes of Wesley Fofana, who joined for a massive fee from Leicester, Napoli’s Kalidou Kouilbaly and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona who have really caught the imagination.

Chukwuemeka, though, arrived as a player primarily for the future, yet after his performance against Brighton, he could well look forward to a more significant role in the team under Potter.

The 18-year-old has not featured yet for the first team in competitive action, although he has made a couple of appearances as an unused substitute, and he grabbed his chance impressively against Potter’s former club.

Chukwuemeka took his chance against Brighton

Carney Chukwuemeka, Chelsea — © ProShots

The Standard reports that it was a mix of senior and youth players from both sides that took the field, with the international players from both teams typically given time off to train ahead of the international break.

Chelsea did not have a competitive match due to policing concerns following the death of the Queen Elizabeth II, with their slated fixture against Liverpool pushed back to a later date.

That could well be to the benefit of summer arrival Chukwuemeka, who would have been unlikely to feature in such a game but could not be given an opportunity to prove himself in a competitive setting.

Certainly, Chelsea need to find some fresh impetus to their play after a slow start to the season, which has seen them win only three of eight fixture and has left them with one point after two Champions League matches. Chukwuemeka, who made 16 appearances for Aston Villa before his summer transfer, might just be the man to give it to them.