Chukwueze's progress at Villarreal excites Amuneke, Adepoju

Samuel Chukwueze, a Nigerian professional footballer, plays as winger for Spanish La Liga club Villarreal FC and the Nigeria National Team. Photo: Getty

Nigeria legends Emmanuel Amuneke and Mutiu Adepoju have expressed their excitement on the progress made so far by Villarreal forward, Samuel Chukwueze.

The 20-year-old winger broke into the limelight at the 2015 U17 World Cup tournament in Chile under the guidance of Amuneke.

The forward helped the Golden Eaglets to clinch the title for the fifth time and subsequently won the Bronze Boot award and the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament.

After his impressive showing in the competition, he joined the Yellow Submarine’s youth team in 2017 and was promoted to the first team a year later.

The winger, dubbed ‘Arjen Robben’ for his skillful playing style, has continued to deliver eye-catching displays, and this season he has scored four goals and provided four assists before the suspension of the league due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

“Samuel Chukwueze whom I was privileged to have coached in the U17’s, you can see how good he is and the team he finds himself. Villarreal is a team that likes to give young players opportunities to grow,” Amuneke told Goal.

Chukwueze (middle) tackles Athletic Club Spanish forward Inaki Williams (right) during a La Liga clash. Photo: Getty

“I am happy for him and hope he can do more. Chukwueze was in the youth team of Villarreal and I could remember when he was injured, I think two months to the World Cup, I said to the doctor ’he doesn’t need to train just make sure you recover him’.

Former Real Madrid forward, Adepoju has also praised the progress of Chukwueze at Estadio de la Cerámica, stating the 22-year-old did not disappoint him, following his fine displays at the U17’s.

“I am happy Chukwueze is playing in La Liga. I could remember when he was in the U17 under Amuneke. I could remember the talent he had and the prospect that he was showing then,” Adepoju said.

“When I heard he was in Villarreal’s second team, I believed he’s going to get into the first team and he’s going to make waves in La Liga. He has not disappointed me."

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