Carney Chukwuemeka's impression at Chelsea has been one that many wouldn't have expected to see so soon. The 19-year-old joined the Blues in the summer from Aston Villa for a fee in the region of £20million despite only starting three times for the west Midlands outfit.
The midfielder has been one figure at Stamford Bridge that has revelled in the opportunities handed to him by Graham Potter amid the horrid run of form this season. Chukwuemeka has made 10 appearances for the Blues this campaign and has featured in the previous five games.
In Sunday's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, Chukwuemeka was handed first start by Potter in response to the 2-1 defeat to London rivals Fulham last week. The teenager ultimately impressed before being replaced by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after the hour mark.
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Chukwuemeka's impressive performance against the Eagles wouldn't have come as a surprise to Blues boss Potter, who was full of praise for the midfielder following his cameo in October's draw at Brentford. “Well, if you look at these attributes, he’s a big powerful boy that can run and run away from people, and in a game like Brentford, you’re often in duels and need physicality, and I thought he and Christian [Pulisic] did well when they came on. They affected the game. That was just the thinking.
“He’s a young player, but he’s got exciting attributes. We just need to help him reach his potential because his potential is exciting.”
After making his first Chelsea start, the midfielder expressed his delight with a short interview with the Chelsea media team. "I loved it, from the warm-up, from when I knew I was starting, I was buzzing already," the teenager said.
"I couldn't wait to get on the pitch and it was a good first-start experience for me."
"The fans helped us a lot," he added. "We've been going through a hard time recently and they really got behind us from minute one, so they were a big part of the win as well."
Chelsea travel to fellow Premier League strugglers Liverpool, who are level on points with the Blues, on Saturday. Both sides will be hoping to reignite their top four hopes with victory at Anfield, with both Jurgen Klopp and Potter facing criticism recently.
And Chukwuemeka will be hoping to restore his place in Potter's starting line-up and continue to impress his new employers. "I'm loving it at the minute," he said. "I feel so confident in myself. With help from the gaffer and the players, who as a young player are helping me.
"I'm just building my trust in my own game as well. That's helped a lot. I'm loving it at the minute and long may it continue."
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