Chukwuemeka reveals his best position for Chelsea ahead of London derby v West
In anticipation of the upcoming London derby against West Ham United, Carney Chukwuemeka, an England U20 player with Nigerian heritage, has disclosed his favored playing position, expressing a preference for a role just behind the forward line. Chukwuemeka was granted a starting position in the recent match against Liverpool, following his notable performance during pre-season preparations. Notably, he was included in the starting lineup for almost all the matches Chelsea played, except for one.
At 19 years old, Chukwuemeka possesses the versatility to operate in various midfield positions, encompassing defensive midfield, attacking midfield, central midfield, and as a box-to-box midfielder. While he was fielded centrally against Liverpool, he has indicated that he feels most effective when positioned behind the frontline, specifically towards the left side.
In his own words, he mentioned, “On the left as an ‘eight’, with a one and a two in front. This setup enables me to receive the ball from deep, embark on forward drives, establish connections with the forward players, and engage in link-up play within and around the penalty area. The ability to dribble past opponents is a significant aspect of my playing style,” Chukwuemeka conveyed to Chelsea’s official website.
For the imminent game at the London Stadium, it’s plausible that Enzo Fernández and recent acquisition Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove might operate in deeper positions behind Chukwuemeka.
The Anglo-Nigerian player aspires to initiate consecutive Premier League matches for the first time during his tenure with Chelsea.