Samu Chukwueze unchained
Samu Chukwueze is not looking back. Those who predicted a bright future for him can now give themselves a pat on the back because he’s the kind of game changer many big clubs strive for.
He’s completing his best personal season at Villarreal, with 13 goals and 11 assists in 40 matches. Those numbers are quite good for a winger but they don’t reflect Chukwueze’s current form, because in the last 25 games he’s scored 11 goals and provided 7 assists.
It’s no coincidence that this phenomenal streak started with the arrival of Quique Setién to Villarreal. He’s been key in getting the best out of the Nigerian international, by giving him his full confidence and an important role in the squad.
Unai Emery would generally use him as an impact substitute in the second half, whereas Setién placed him in his starting XI from day one. Chukwueze rewarded his new manager immediately by scoring in Setién’s debut for Villarreal in the Conference League clash against Hapoel Beer Sheva.
Given Gerard Moreno’s constant struggle with injuries, Setién understood the importance of finding a player that could provide a strong offensive output to counter his absence. We can now confirm the experiment has worked wonders.
Especially after his masterclass against Real Madrid in LaLiga, when he cast any doubts aside. The strongest LaLiga team Chukwueze had scored against was Osasuna (based on the standings), so there were still some questions on whether he had what it takes to step up against the top teams. It’s true he put one past Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey in their 3-2 defeat, yet his numbers are notably better in the more recent league game.
Not only did he score two outrageous goals, including an 80th minute winner that brings Villarreal a bit closer to the Champions League dream, but he also improved his output in comparison to their previous encounter in the Copa del Rey. He completed 7 of 8 attempted dribbles, won 9 out of 11 ground duels and only lost the ball 10 times, half the amount than in their previous meeting.
A stellar performance by the 23-year-old who is now attracting even more attention from important European clubs, given his contract expires in June 2024. According to Marca, Real Madrid made the most of Villarreal’s visit to the capital of Spain to talk about Chukwueze’s future. Estadio Deportivo even mention AC Milan and the Premier League as possible destinations for him.
Only time will tell where Chukwueze’s future lies, but it looks unlikely that the yellow submarine can keep hold of him if he continues to perform at this level. Technical and pacy wingers that can score are highly sought-after.