Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has explained why he’s really impressed by teenage summer signing Carney Chukwuemeka.
The Blues managed to sign the midfielder earlier this week from Premier League rivals Aston Villa for £20million.
Aged 18, the English youngster arrives at Stamford Bridge as an emerging product, who did make 16 senior appearances for Villa after coming through their academy.
He’s already been in first-team training at Cobham following his move to West London.
Let’s wait and see what kind of role he can play within Chelsea’s main squad in this new campaign, which kickstarts today away to Everton.
Tuchel impressed by Chukwuemeka
Tuchel has spoken glowingly about Chelsea’s new midfielder Chukwuemeka, highlighting the youngster’s physicality as one of his greatest strengths.
The central midfielder admits that he needs to hit the gym more to get more muscular. However, he does carry quite the presence on the pitch already with his height and the way he confidently carries himself.
“I like his personality, I like his physicality and he was very promising in the matches he played for Aston Villa at Premier League level. Very dynamic. Very good first touch on the ball and very self confident in a very positive way, smiles a lot,” Tuchel said.
Midfield masters
Chukwuemeka will now get the opportunity to work with some truly exceptional midfielders, who should be excellent mentors to him.
It’s great to see the ex-Villa talent mixing it in the senior ranks straight away because he was getting minutes in the Premier League last season.
He can now look to develop under the tutelage of players like Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante and Jorginho.
Chukwuemeka’s a skilful midfielder who loves to drive forward in possession and there aren’t many better than Kovacic than breaking lines.
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