Aston Villa starlet Carney Chukwuemeka could be prepared to leave for first team football
Aston Villa star Carney Chukwuemeka has targeted regular first team football next season and has suggested he could be prepared to leave Villa for it.
The young midfielder has been linked with Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund in recent weeks and is currently impressing in the Under-19 European Championships.
In an interview with Soccerbible, Chukwuemeka expressed a desire to play regularly but stopped short of commenting on his links with the European giants.
“I want to be playing regular first-team football,” he said. “Whether it’s at Villa or on loan somewhere, I’m working hard to make my future as bright as possible.”
While Chukwuemeka made sure to specify a loan move over a permanent one, it still implies that the player is looking beyond Villa Park for football.
The 18-year-old played just 301 minutes of football last season, starting just twice, so it is no surprise that he wants more regular football.
Where would be best for his development?
The way Villa handled Chukwuemeka last season was confusing.
After a string of impressive cameos in December and January, he went 10 games without making an appearance, failing to make the squad twice.
Despite not playing in the first team, he was also not allowed to play for the Under-23s, playing just one game in that time.
Villa let Jaden Philogene-Bidace, who made his Villa debut at the same time as Chukwuemeka, leave on loan and he found regular football.
A spell away from Villa would let him find regular first team football and see him return to Villa a more mature and complete player.
However, Borussia Dortmund have been working wonders for young English talent in recent years.
Jadon Sancho arrived in Germany for a modest fee having not played a minute of senior football and made a £73 million transfer to Manchester United four years later.
Jude Bellingham also made his England debut just months after joining the German giants, which would be playing on his mind.
Barcelona’s La Masia academy is renowned as one of the best in the world, with Pedri and Gavi showing there is a pathway to the first team.
Chukwuemeka is clearly talented and if Villa want to keep him, they will need to give him first team minutes.
In other Aston Villa news, Trezeguet is finally set to leave the club after a successful loan spell back in Turkey.