Scout: Samuel Chukwueze
After being introduced into Villareal’s senior squad at the start of last season, Samuel Chukwueze has taken a steady, yet promising trajectory towards high-ranking stardom. An acclaimed youth career left many Villareal fans exceedingly eager to see the Nigerian winger test himself against senior professionals, prior to his debut in 2018.
Chukwueze was part of a deluge of Nigerian talent heading into the final year of the decade, yet the winger constantly headlined the ever growing crop of potential deities in the making.
Tested in the second team, after just one season in the Segunda División B, the 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup winner was thrust into top league action by manager, Javier Calleja. At the age of just 19, Chukwueze showed a remarkable level of maturity, leading fans around the country to take note of Villarreal’s upcoming luminary. 9 goal contributions in all competitions earned the Diamond Football Academy graduate continued trust from Calleja going into the clubs 20th season in La Liga.
Style of play
Never afraid of taking on retreating defenders, Samuel Chukwueze often accentuates an acute sense of confidence for a man of such a tender age. 2.77 dribbles per 90 underlines his primary weapon, turning unexpecting defenders inside out with a rapid change of direction coined with electric acceleration. The deductive narrative that is often underpinned against young dribble centric wingers is their lack of prosperity in these situations, however the Villareal midfielder boasts an ever more sumptuous success rate of 61.5%, ranking in the 71st percentile for all wingers in Europe’s top five leagues.
This highlights his aforementioned exponential level of maturity. While his dribble numbers exacerbate an impressive level of quality, Chukwueze suffers from a sparse amount of goal contributions. Five league goals and assists from just over 2000 minutes is a tad worrying, however with age his finishing will most likely ameliorate. Generally taking a preference to a slotted side foot finish, his shot choice in front of goal is often questionable. What is even more displeasing is the Nigerian’s XG numbers, which mirror the low total he is displaying in true goals. Just 3.82 XG exacerbates perhaps some shot location and frequency issues. However, being a natural winger his finishing capabilities will establish during the latter stages of his evolution.
More than capable of playing an intricate pass to a teammate utilising flicks and precise backheels, Samu has refined close bonds on and off the pitch. Not one to dither on the ball Chukwueze does the majority of his passing work in the final third of the pitch, an XA of 0.16 per 90 compared to his poultry 19 passes per game perfectly accentuates his preference for link up play in front of the opposition goalkeeper. There are moments where he could learn to release slightly quicker, however his general decision making is positive for a 21 year old who has started less than 50 professional games for club and country.
Future
Samu’s rapid rise up the ranks of Spanish football has been nothing short of remarkable. Playing in a different continent from his birth the Nigerian has shown an ever increasing amount of maturity both emotionally and technically. After two successful seasons under Calleja and Luis García, there will be an intrigue amongst the Yellow Submarine fans as to how new coach Unai Emery will utilise their diamond in the rough. Returning to Spain after a four year hiatus, it is assumed that the former Sevilla manager will fall back on his preferred 4–2–3–1 formation. This is decidedly key for Samu, a player whose skills are best served out wide, where the Nigerian can isolate his opposing full back.
Links to Europe’s largest clubs will always circle. The 2020/21 shall see more expectation on Chukuweze’s shoulders, where it is imperative the pressure does not become excessive in his own mind. Double figures for league goal contributions should ward of any early apprehensions of a lack of ruthlessness.
