Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukweze has been called a very intelligent footballer by former Barcelona winger, Andrea Orlandi after causing problems for Real Sociedad.
Chukwueze on Monday provided the assist for Villareal’s goal in their 2-1 home loss to Sociedad which ended their Champions League qualification hopes for next season.
The Nigeria international who was brought on for Fernando Nino in the 46th minute for his 35th Laliga appearance this season set up Santi Cazorla to make it 2-1 on 85 minutes.
William Jose had actually put Sociedad ahead on 61minutes before Diego Llorente thereafter added the second goal in the 75th minute to put the visitors two goals up.
Orlandi explained how Chukwueze caused Sociedad problems after the Nigerian
forward came off the bench at half-time to replace young striker Niño at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
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With Gerard Moreno and Carlos Bacca not available and Paco Alcácer a non-playing sub due to muscular pain, the Yellow Submarine’s boss, Javi Calleja was forced to deploy Chuwkueze as a striker.
“Samuel Chukwueze is a very intelligent footballer and that goal comes from playing on the right he came on for Fer Niño, disappointing performance from the youngster,” Orlandi said on Laliga TV.
“Chukwueze was playing as a striker in the first 35 minutes of the second half, he couldn’t find the spaces, he needs spaces to run, he needs to play on the wing.
“He played there in the last fifteen minutes and he caused problems for Real Sociedad but it was a little bit too late for Villarreal.”
Including his assist against Sociedad, Chukwueze has had a direct hand in 10 goals (4 goals, 6 assists) from 39 appearances for Villarreal in all competitions this season.
By Oluyemi Ogunseyin
