Samuel Chukwueze remains Nigeria’s brightest star in the Spanish LaLiga since making his debut for Villarreal against Levante on November 4, 2018.
The 21-year old is currently featuring in his second topflight season for Villarreal having graduated to the senior team following the club’s promotion from the Segunda division after 2017/19 season.
Chukwueze’s blistering performance in his debut LaLiga outing last season saw him score 5 goals in 26 games totalling 1,709 minutes which brought him into the spotlight, making him the target of bigger clubs all around Europe
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The skillful youngster who starred for Nigeria’s cadet team that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2015 where he emerged the bronze boot winner with 3 goals later won his first full international cap on November 20, 2018 in a friendly against Uganda. He scored his maiden goal for the Super Eagles in the 2-1 defeat of South Africa in the quarter finals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations held in Egypt where Nigeria won the bronze medal.
Prior to the Covid19 pandemic, Chukwueze suffered a dip in form which saw him start from the bench on a number of occasions for Villareal but the break is expected to have done him much good ahead of the LaLiga restart.
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And with 11 rounds of LaLiga matches still to go, Chukwueze stand a good chance of surpassing his last season’s feat. And with Villarreal currently placed in the 8th position with 38 points after 27 games, Chukwueze will be looking to make his resurgence count in helping the Yellow Submarines to finish strong in the LaLiga and possibly earn an UEFA Europa League place at the least.
The Diamond Football Academy product who was listed by UEFA among top 50 youngsters that are expected to blossom during the 2019-20 seasonis is currently one of the most- sought-after young players with Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool among clubs showing interest in the player.
By Sulaiman Alao
