Carney Chibueze Chukwuemeka (born 20 October 2003) is an Austrian-born English Nigerian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or left winger for Premier League club Chelsea. A product of the Northampton Town and Aston Villa academies, Chukwuemeka made his debut for the latter club's first team in 2021, before signing for Chelsea in 2022.[4]
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
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Full name | Carney Chibueze Chukwuemeka[1] | ||||||||||||||||
Date of birth | [2] | 20 October 2003||||||||||||||||
Place of birth | Eisenstadt, Austria | ||||||||||||||||
Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[3] | ||||||||||||||||
Position(s) | Attacking midfielder, left winger | ||||||||||||||||
Team information | |||||||||||||||||
Current team | Chelsea | ||||||||||||||||
Number | 17 | ||||||||||||||||
Youth career | |||||||||||||||||
–2016 | Northampton Town | ||||||||||||||||
2016–2021 | Aston Villa | ||||||||||||||||
Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||
2021–2022 | Aston Villa | 14 | (0) | ||||||||||||||
2022– | Chelsea | 23 | (1) | ||||||||||||||
International career | |||||||||||||||||
2019 | England U17 | 2 | (0) | ||||||||||||||
2020–2021 | England U18 | 3 | (1) | ||||||||||||||
2021–2022 | England U19 | 13 | (6) | ||||||||||||||
2022–2023 | England U20 | 7 | (0) | ||||||||||||||
Medal record
| |||||||||||||||||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:23, 15 April 2024 (UTC) |
Club career
editAston Villa
editChukwuemeka joined the Aston Villa academy from the Northampton Town academy in March 2016.[5][6] He signed his first professional contract with Villa in July 2020.[7]
Chukwuemeka made his senior debut for the team on 19 May 2021 in a 2–1 away victory over Tottenham Hotspur, hitting the post within minutes of entering the game.[6][8] On 23 May 2021, he was named Aston Villa Academy Player of the Season for the 2020–21 season.[9] The following day, Chukwuemeka was part of the Aston Villa U18s squad that won the FA Youth Cup, beating Liverpool U18s 2–1 in the final.[10]
Chukwuemeka made his first senior start on 24 August 2021 in a 6–0 victory against Barrow in the second round of the EFL Cup, and made his first league start four days later in a 1–1 draw with Brentford, a performance Paul Merson hailed as "outstanding", adding "he will be an absolute star".[11]
Chelsea
editOn 2 August 2022, Aston Villa and Chelsea confirmed that the clubs had reached an agreement for the permanent transfer of Chukwuemeka, subject to the player agreeing personal terms and undergoing a medical.[12][13] On 4 August 2022, Chelsea announced the signing of Chukwuemeka on a six-year contract.[14][15]
On 20 August 2023, Chukwuemeka scored his first senior goal in a 3–1 loss to West Ham United, later in the same match he was substituted after suffering a knee injury.[16]
International career
editChukwuemeka is eligible to play for the national teams of Austria,[17] England and Nigeria.[5] After making two appearances for England U17 national team, on 29 March 2021, he made his debut for the England U18 squad in 2–0 victory over Wales.[18]
On 2 September 2021, Chukwuemeka made his debut for the England U19s during a 2–0 victory over Italy U19s at St. George's Park, he also captained the side.[19] On 10 November 2021, he scored his first goal at this level, in a 4–0 victory over Andorra U19 in a 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification match.[20]
On 17 June 2022, Chukwuemeka was named in the England squad for the 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals.[21] Chukwuemeka featured in every game of their tournament, scoring in group stage victories against Austria and Serbia.[22] On 1 July 2022, he scored the second goal in England's 3–1 extra time victory over Israel in the final.[23][24] His performances during the competition led to his inclusion in the UEFA team of the tournament.[25]
On 21 September 2022, Chukwuemeka made his England U20 debut during a 3–0 victory over Chile at the Pinatar Arena.[26] On 10 May 2023, Chukwuemeka was included in the England squad for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[27][28] However, he didn't arrive at the tournament until after the group stages due to his club commitments.[29] His only appearance of the tournament saw him start in their round of sixteen defeat against Italy.[30]
Personal life
editChukwuemeka is of Igbo descent. He was born in Austria to Nigerian parents and then later moved and was raised in Northampton, England.[5] His older brother Caleb plays as a forward for Swiss club AC Bellinzona.[31]
He attended St James CofE primary school in Northampton and then Northampton School for Boys with his brother.[32]
Career statistics
edit- As of match played 12 December 2024[33]
Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Aston Villa U21 | 2020–21 | — | — | — | — | 2[a] | 0 | 2 | 0 | |||||
2021–22 | — | — | — | — | 2[a] | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||
Total | — | — | — | — | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||||||
Aston Villa | 2020–21 | Premier League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | ||
2021–22 | Premier League | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 14 | 0 | |||
Total | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 0 | ||||
Chelsea | 2022–23 | Premier League | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 15 | 0 | |
2023–24 | Premier League | 9 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 12 | 2 | |||
2024–25 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4[b] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
Total | 23 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 2 | ||
Career total | 37 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 52 | 2 |
- ^ a b Appearances in EFL Trophy
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Conference League
Honours
editAston Villa
- FA Youth Cup: 2020-21
England U19
Individual
- UEFA European Under-19 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2022[34]
- Aston Villa Academy Player of the Season: 2020–21
References
edit- ^ "Squad List: FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023: England (ENG)" (PDF). FIFA. 22 May 2023. p. 6. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- ^ "Carney Chukwuemeka". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- ^ "Carney Chukwuemeka". Chelseafc.com. Chelsea F.C. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ "Carney Chukwuemeka – Profile". Aston Villa F.C. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ a b c Maston, Tom (15 April 2021). "Carney Chukwuemeka: Aston Villa wonderkid that Europe's top clubs are queuing up to sign". Goal. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ a b Watson, Chris; Cusack, Richard (15 May 2021). "Carney Chukwuemeka – transfer talk, contract and Villa plan". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
- ^ Preece, Ashley (27 July 2020). "Aston Villa tie down 'best 16-year-old in England' Chukwuemeka". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ Brand, Gerard (20 May 2021). "Tottenham 1–2 Aston Villa: Sloppy Spurs beaten on fans' return to leave European hopes under threat". Sky Sports. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "Martinez voted Supporters' Player of the Season 🏆". Aston Villa Football Club. 23 May 2021. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
- ^ Preece, Ashley (24 May 2021). "Aston Villa vs Liverpool FA Youth Cup final LIVE updates". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- ^ Mir, Amir (29 August 2021). "Paul Merson delivers verdict on Chukwuemeka's performance for Aston Villa v Brentford". HITC. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
- ^ "Aston Villa agree Chukwuemeka departure". Aston Villa FC. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
- ^ "Chukwuemeka transfer agreed". Chelsea FC. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
- ^ "Chukwuemeka signing confirmed". Chelsea FC. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- ^ "Carney Chukwuemeka: Chelsea sign Aston Villa midfielder for £20m". BBC Sport. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
- ^ "West Ham 3-1 Chelsea: Mauricio Pochettino still waiting for first victory as Blues manager". Sky Sports. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ Guyett, Matthew (26 April 2023). "Chelsea midfielder approached by Austria to switch national team – Reports". sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ Keen, Liam (29 March 2021). "Villa young Lions roar for England". Express & Star. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ Veevers, Nicholas (2 September 2021). "England MU19s 2-0 Italy". EnglandFootball.com. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ "England-Andorra | Under-19". UEFA. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
- ^ "Aston Villa trio named in England squad for U19 Euros". Aston Villa Football Club. 17 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
- ^ Boswell, Zinny (1 July 2022). "Meet England's Young Lions gunning for glory in Under-19s European Championships final against Israel". Sky Sports. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
- ^ Honeyman, Sam (1 July 2022). "Israel 1-3 England (aet): Chukwuemeka and Ramsey the extra-time heroes as Young Lions fight back". UEFA. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ Sansom, Dan (1 July 2022). "Israel U19 1-3 England U19 (AET): Young Lions come from behind to win European Championship". Sky Sports. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
- ^ "2022 Under-19 EURO Team of the Tournament". UEFA. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
- ^ Crane, Liam (21 September 2022). "Report: England MU20s 3-0 Chile". EnglandFootball.com. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ Veevers, Nick (10 May 2023). "England MU20s squad named for World Cup in Argentina". EnglandFootball.com. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
- ^ "Fifa Under-20 World Cup: England name squad for tournament". BBC Sport. 11 May 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
- ^ Kinsella, Nizaar (29 May 2023). "Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka jets off to join England squad at the Under-20 World Cup". Evening Standard. London. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
- ^ "Italy oust England at U20 World Cup thanks to late penalty". ESPN. 1 June 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
- ^ "Tabor has brought in the older brother of a Chelsea player: Forward Caleb Chukwuemeka, who last played for Aston Villa, joins in Sežana – Planet Nogomet". 29 February 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ Townley, John (15 December 2021). "'A different level, 93 goals, six hat-tricks' – The making of Aston Villa's Chukwuemeka brothers". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
- ^ Carney Chukwuemeka at Soccerway. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
- ^ "2022 Under-19 EURO Team of the Tournament". UEFA. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
External links
edit- Profile at the Chelsea F.C. website