£20m Chelsea player wasn’t risked against Brentford because of flu like symptoms – journalist

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Carney Chukwuemeka missed Chelsea’s midweek defeat against Brentford through illness, according to reports.

Carney Chukwuemeka, who’s just 19, is a very highly-rated talent that supporters at Stamford Bridge want to see play more.

Unfortunately, Blues caretaker manager Frank Lampard hasn’t used the £20million (BBC) youngster in any of his five games in charge.

He was an unused substitute in last week’s Champions League defeat against Real Madrid, but he didn’t even make the matchday squad for Tuesday’s 2-0 loss against Brentford in the Premier League.

Journalist Simon Phillips has now shed some light on the teenager’s absence this week.

According to well-respected journalist Phillips, Chelsea didn’t want to risk Chukwuemeka against Brentford due to the youngster’s illness.

Writing on his Substack, Phillips said: “I’m told Carney Chukwuemeka had ‘flu like symptoms’ last night so wasn’t risked, or at least that is what is coming out of Chelsea’s side – Lampard’s staff.”

We will let Lampard off then if Chukwuemeka was unavailable this week.

However, he’s simply got to get the 19-year-old involved from now until the end of the season.

He’s looked like he can add something to this Blues side during his 12 first-team appearances this campaign, which must have been a frustrating one for him during his first year in West London.

We want to see Lampard throw him into the team for next Tuesday’s Premier League trip to leaders Arsenal.

He’s a powerful central midfielder with so many great physical attributes for a youngster.

His ability to go past an opponent and inject quality on the ball is something this Chelsea XI desperately needs right now.

The Blues have a woeful record of one goal in their last seven matches across all competitions, so it’s time to freshen it up with some young blood with a point to prove.