Carney Chukwuemeka has told the official Chelsea YouTube channel that Graham Potter encouraged him to play like he has been in training on his Blues debut.
The 18-year-old was brought on in the second half of the 3-0 victory over Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The appearance was his first team debut in any competition for the Blues, after a handful of Premier League showings for former side Aston Villa.
It’s hardly as if Potter’s side tailed off after his introduction, with them adding another goal to their victory thanks to Armando Broja.
There have been reports for a while now that Chukwuemeka had been impressing in training.
Speculation has particularly been around during the time the former Brighton man has been at Chelsea, although an international break and fixture cancellations pushed his debut back to October.
Chukwuemeka shares Potter comments
Nevertheless, Chukwuemeka was delighted with the occasion, claiming Potter had a few words for him before he entered the field of play.
He said: “Before coming on he just told me to express myself, play how I’ve been training and just play with a smile on my face. I think I did that, which is good!”
The teenager will now be hoping that he can turn this appearance into many as a Chelsea player.
With the month of October posing games every few days or so, it is very likely Blues fans won’t have to wait too long before they see the highly-rated teen again.
While a trip to the San Siro may see Potter resort to a team similar to the one which dismantled AC Milan last week, there are still plenty of Premier League games in the near schedule.
Perhaps fate itself has already had it’s say, with the next league outing set to be to Villa Park, against Chukwuemeka’s old side, Aston Villa.
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