Ikechukwu Uche has told Villarreal forward and fellow Nigerian Samuel Chukwueze to treat growing transfer speculation as a compliment and continue to develop at his former club.
Chukwueze, 19, is enjoying a breakthrough season, scoring in the Spanish La Liga, Europa League and Spanish Cup.
His form has caught the attention of clubs across Europe, but Uche – who is highly revered at Villarreal – believes the teenager’s interest will be best served by staying.
“Chukwueze is doing well at Villarreal so it’s only normal to have growing speculation about his future in the media, but he is in a good place,” Uche told BBC Sport.
“He should treat all this attention as a compliment and continue to grow because his impressive rise from the reserves to the first team is still fresh.
“Villarreal is a good club, he is being taken care of and he’s surrounded by quality players that will help him grow.
“The people there are dedicated to protecting and improving him, so there is no pressure on him.”
Nigeria’s fourth highest scorer with 19 goals, Uche joined Villarreal from Real Zaragoza in August 2011, but was immediately loaned out to then Spanish La Liga newboys Granada, for the 2011/12 season.
But he returned to relegated Villarreal for 2012-13 and emerged as top scorer with 14 goals to lead the team back to the top flight.
In 2013-14, Uche scored another 14 goals as the club finished in sixth place to secure a Europa League spot.
He believes his compatriot Chukwueze, who is capable of playing on either flank, is capable of making bigger impact at Estadio de la Cerámica.
“I’ve been following his progress and I know some of the people there, so let’s just say he has the potential to become a successful player at the club,” Uche added.
“I haven’t had a chance to speak to him but personally I want him to stay.
“I’m sure he will do what is right for his career, I’m just happy to see another African and Nigerian making a positive impact at Villarreal.”
Ivorian defender Eric Bailly and DR Congo’s Cedric Bakambu are two notable Africans who have recently made big-money move from Villarreal.
Chukwueze has made 13 appearances this season for Villareal, scoring four goals for the La Liga side.
A Fifa under-17 World Cup winner with Nigeria in 2015, he has been likened to his hero and Bayern Munich’s former Netherlands winger Arjen Robben.
Chukwueze – who came close to joining Arsenal in 2016 – arrived at Villarreal from Nigeria’s Diamond Academy in August 2017.
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COMMENTS
True word IK,I desire that Samuel will learn from your words of wisdom, u have been there and seen it all so u simply in the right place to advice the dude.Samuel needs to grow he should stay at Vill say for like two seasons more before moving ahead.Even the more established merci has refused to live Baca.
A word is enough for the wise
Very wonderful piece of advice from an experienced player,chukwueze should listen to him. Don’t make same mistake iheanacho made due to over ambition. Keep your head low and continue working hard,the right time for you to move will come,not now.happy new year , guys
I can’t help but draw parallels between Samuel Chukwueze and Raheem Sterling of England.
Just like Chukwueze, Raheem was an up and coming promising England international playing for Liverpool, a big club in its own right, when Manchester City came calling.
Liverpool reportedly offered Raheem a much improved contract rumoured to be around £100,000 per week!
Still, Raheem chose to dump Liverpool for high spending Manchester City.
Now, a lot of pundits including former England legend John Barnes came out to publicly criticise the move suggesting that Raheem Sterling had made a mistake and that his career would suffer.
It didn’t!
Under Pep Guardiola, Raheem Sterling’s game has grown in leaps and bounds so much so that he is now considered a high quality striker.
_My Point_
If offers should come in for Chukwueze, perhaps he should not just brush them off.
Like Raheem Sterling, if he takes a leap of faith, you never can tell how things will work out!
All I am saying is that he should not be quick to close the door at offers from bigger clubs even at this stage of his career.
Below is the article in which John Barnes discouraged Raheem’s move to Man City:
John Barnes: ‘Raheem Sterling is making a mistake’
By Steven Toplis, Reporter | 3y
Former Liverpool winger John Barnes believes that Raheem Sterling is making a mistake by asking to leave the club.
It was reported on Monday evening that the 20-year-old plans to tell manager Brendan Rodgers this week that he will not sign a new contract at Anfield.
Barnes, who won two league titles with the Merseysiders, insists that Sterling is not ready to move on yet.
“He is only 20 and has not achieved anything, he has not won anything,” Barnes told BBC Sport.
“The time is not right for him to move, but if he wants to move the club should sell him. If he goes to Manchester City, to give himself a chance of winning the league, he will not become a regular for them. We have seen it with players in the past like Scott Sinclair.”
Fast forward to 2019: Well, as you all can see, John Barnes was wrong!!
And Deo if he had remained he would still be good except for lack of medals that maybe he would have won this current season that Liverpool have found their fear factor! Joining an ambitious club and now a better coach was his messiah. Life is all about grace!