Chelsea FC have agreed a fee with Aston Villa for the transfer of 18-year-old Carney Chukwuemeka, believed to be close to £20m on a six-year-deal.
Chukwuemeka has been one of the rising stars of English football in recent years, progressing through the ranks at both club and International level. This led to his breakout tournament at this summer’s European Championships, where he scored a dramatic goal in extra-time against Isreal, helping his nation to seal the trophy in the final.
The general positivity and excitement that met this news reflected how highly many people view the midfielder and his potential. This deal is ironic given it feels like one Chelsea fans have become accustomed to hating, losing an academy talent to someone else as Villa did here when the player turned down a contract that would have made him the highest paid teen in English football.
After talks with Thomas Tuchel and en route to Cobham, avoiding any late hiccups, Chukwuemeka will become the fourth major men’s signing after Gabriel Slonina was confirmed on Tuesday evening from Chicago Fire.
Todd Boehly has received criticism already for Chelsea’s approach to major targets this summer, be that the failure to land certain ones or the perception the number of names linked has felt a little bit chaotic, although there is clarity this summer than any pursuit has the influence and blessing of Tuchel.
Chukwuemeka is arguably the most interesting deal Boehly will do in this window, partly because it follows a growing trend of the club snapping up exciting young talent from Premier League rivals. Omari Hutchinson feels most comparable here, signed after Arsenal failed to negotiate a deal with a player who ripped it up against the Blues at the youth level last season, now a Blue and will likely be sent instantly on loan to Reading to gain consistent senior minutes.
