Carney Chukwuemeka reportedly caught the eye of Chelsea manager Graham Potter whilst the World Cup was wowing the globe.
According to football.london, Potter was ‘mightily impressed’ by the performances and application in training from the summer signing across the past few weeks.
Chukwuemeka remained at Cobham whilst some of his club mates jetted off to Qatar.
He had to watch the tournament unfold on television, rather than experience the journey in the flesh.
Although taking part in the competition would’ve been unrivalled, the time the teenager spent with Chelsea must’ve been beneficial.
It’s been more stop than start for the 19-year-old since he moved to Stamford Bridge from Aston Villa for £20m in August.
The midfielder is yet to start a senior game for the Blues, largely because of injury and illness.
Carney Chukwuemeka impresses Potter
Potter hasn’t risked chucking Chukwuemeka in the deep end just yet, but might be more inclined following the last month or so of training.
Alongside their schedule on the Cobham pitches, Chelsea also flew out to Abu Dhabi earlier in December for some warm weather work.
Only a handful of first-team players travelled across the globe, with the group mainly consisting of academy graduates and youthful talents.
Villa’s former prodigy was part of the pack, but didn’t get a chance to face his former side in a friendly fixture.
Chelsea will challenge Unai Emery’s men again in the Premier League at the beginning of April.
By then, Chukwuemeka might be fully fit and firing in his new colours.
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