Carney Chukwuemeka wants to show that he “belongs” at Chelsea after being given a more prominent role by Mauricio Pochettino.
The 19-year-old played in each of Chelsea’s five friendly matches and was amongst the squad’s top 10 players for minutes played during the pre-season tour of the United States.
Having only been given limited chances since arriving at Stamford Bridge, the midfielder wants to become a fully established first-team player next season.
Chukwuemeka said: “For me personally [the goal] is just to break into the starting team this season.
“I set myself a target to contribute more to goals and assists this season as well and just to help the team win games and hopefully win trophies. The main aim is to break into the starting XI.”
Pochettino has a good track record of working with young, English talent having brought through the likes of Harry Kane, Kyle Walker and Dele Alli at Tottenham.
At Chelsea, he has so far offered similar opportunities to young players including Chukwuemeka, who joined the club last summer in a £20million deal from Aston Villa.
Chukwuemeka feels the change of manager has offered him a fresh start, adding: “I feel like after the pre-season I’ve had that I can show what I can do, that I belong here.
“The gaffer has come in and been really good to me, so I can’t thank him enough for that and just have to keep going now and improve day in and day out. It’s a good feeling, it gives me extra confidence.”
Chelsea went undefeated across their five matches in the United States but needed a late goal by academy striker Mason Burstow to draw with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday in Chicago.
Chukwuemeka believes Pochettino’s solid start will give his side a chance to overcome a difficult last year. He added: “It’s been a positive pre-season for us.
“Five games, unbeaten in all five, we’re playing very well, playing good football and I feel we’ve taken on board very quickly what the gaffer wants us to do and how he wants us to play so it’s been a positive pre-season.”
