da betsul： Everton have joined the growing list of European clubs said to be interested in signing Villarreal sensation Samuel Chukwueze.
What’s the word?
da supremo： According to 90min, the Toffees have joined an ever-increasing clutch of sides from around Europe in monitoring Chukwueze’s situation in Spain as the vastly talented stalwart begins considering his future with Villarreal.
Chukwueze is deliberating whether now is the time to take the next step in his budding career or not, with fierce interest particularly coming from Premier League sides including Manchester United, Leicester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Jurgen Klopp’s title-holders are said to have had scouts observe the 21-year-old for more than year, while Wolves consider the Nigerian to be a potential Adama Traore successor, but face paying in excess of £80million as Villarreal intend to hold firm in demanding the winger’s full release clause.
The La Liga outfit have frequently increased the value of the clause through a series of new contracts, with two new deals penned in the past 16-months seeing the value more than double amid his continued climb at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
Chukwueze made his first-team debut in September 2018 against Rangers in a Europa League Group Stage tie, and has since been involved in 24 goals (13 scored, 11 assisted) in 89 senior appearances across all competitions.
Villarreal boss Unai Emery has started the young gem in five of his side’s eight La Liga fixtures this term, and saw the forward open his account with the first goal of the night after 21-minutes against Real Valladolid on Monday.
Ancelotti’s new Robben
Coaches have previously been awestruck by Chukwueze’s abilities, with his electric pace, terrifying dribbling potential and lethal end product when cutting in onto his left-foot from the right-wing reminiscent of Bayern Munich great Arjen Robben – a player Ancelotti worked with whilst in Germany.
“He’s the king, to me,” Chukwueze told Goal when asked about the comparisons with the Dutchman. “He’s the perfect player. I watch so many YouTube clips of him, and there are so many things I can learn from watching him.
“On the way to games, even now, I will still stick on clips of Robben and watch his goals, his dribbling. He’s my inspiration, one of the greatest. I like to be me and of course, you have to be yourself, but you need to learn from people like him. What a player!”
Victor Apugo, who is a part of Chukwueze’s management team, also doubts his client will ever find an obstacle too big to overcome in football, having told the Independent: “I don’t think he will be finding anything difficult because he’s mentally strong. It can’t be worse than what he’s been through growing up.”
Chukwueze grew up in Umuahia, an area of dereliction, poverty and little hope, but is now seen as one of La Liga’s best prospects, one of Europe’s most exciting young talents and a future star for Nigeria. But he will only leave Villarreal for the right side.
“Any club that wants to sign me will have to give me the assurance that I am going to be playing,” Chukwueze told TheCable. “As long as I am fit, I need to be playing and that’s the only option.”
Everton Director of Football Marcel Brands winning the ever-increasing race for Chukwueze’s signature could see the Dutchman secure Ancelotti his new Robben, as the Italian enjoyed a trophy-laden spell in Germany with the player who the Nigerian idolises.
Robben played 45 times under Ancelotti during the Everton boss’ time in Bavaria, in which he scored 18 goals, penned 15 assists and won two Bundesliga titles and two German Super Cups.
AND in other news, Marcel Brands can build Everton’s dream unit with a gem who Carlo Ancelotti calls “one of the best”.