Nigeria winger Samuel Chukwueze is in cloud nine following his Spanish club, Villarreal 3-1 away win against Zenit St Petersburg in their Europa League clash at the Gazprom Arena on Thursday, Completesports.com reports.
Chukwueze who featured for 90 minutes in the round of 16 encounter put up a fine performance against the Russians.
A brilliant header from Vicente Iborra gave Villarreal the lead after 33 minutes, but Sardar Azmoun drew the home team Zenit level three minutes later.
In the second half, goals from Manu Morlanes and Gerard Moreno secured a comfortable win away.
The second leg will take place next week Thursday at the Estadio de la Cerámica, Villarreal.
The game was Chukwueze’s seventh in the competition this season.
“&#xVillarrealCF ..@EuropaLeague great away win &#;”he tweeted the game.
The former Nigeria youth international and his Villarreal teamates will return to action on Sunday when they face Moses Simon ‘ s Levante in a LaLiga clash.
5 Comments
Great to see Samuel unleashed and playing without shackles. His stats in the game:
90 minutes played
3 out of 3 take ons won (100%)
81% pass success rate
32 out of 38 passes successful
3 shots, 2 on target
1 key pass.
All in all, a good runout
…to add to the fact that he was involved in all 3 goals scored by villareal, there’s no gain saying that Sam is coming of age. I just pray God guides his next career step, bcos that may be what will make or mar him. I’m still scratching my head as to how we can help rehabilitate Nacho, I wouldnt want to be in the same position with Sam in 2 years time.
Samuel Chukwueze – the lucky charm
“He’s a player who floats across the ground – it seems as if he doesn’t even touch the grass – but he’s still developing.”
Luis García, former Villarreal coach
“Chukwueze has a good left foot, is quick, has a low centre of gravity – which gives him very good balance – and can deliver and score.”
Gernot Rohr, Nigeria coach
“He has a quality that just overflows and you can’t stop, like a river.”
Miguel Álvarez, Villarreal youth team coach
Above are just some of the eloquent quotes that encapsulate the star qualities of Samuel Chukwueze – who is proving to be a lucky charm for Villareal in the Europa League this season.
When I looked at all the matches Chukwueze had played a meaningful part for the Spanish outfit in Europe this season, they have recorded 4 wins and 1 draw with the Nigeria international chipping in 1 goal and 1 assist in those matches predominantly from the right wing.
Basically, anytime Villarreal have featured the 19 year old for more than 25 minutes, they have won (apart from one draw).
Samuel – with his dribbling abilities, pace, direct running and eye for goal – is surely attracting a lot of attention and his continued impact in the Europa League this season will only serve to raise his profile the more.
So, is he one for the future? Is he the new Arjen Robben or Ikechukwu Uche?
Chukwueze himself said: “I’m not getting carried away; I still don’t feel all that important. I need to keep working hard so that the coach continues to believe and trust in me.”
So why did they keep him on the bench in the last few games? Their action cost him a place in the SE 23 man squad against Seychelles & Egypt.
The boy is good. I have no doubt.
We need him at the nations cup.