Dean Smith is certain to hand Carney Chukwuemeka a first-team role next term after Aston Villa told the midfielder he would not be granted a loan transfer, according to The Athletic.
Smith fast-tracked Chukwuemeka into the senior fold at Villa Park at the end of last season. The 17-year-old made his Premier League debut against Tottenham on the penultimate day and featured against Chelsea four days later.
Chukwuemeka had only made his first senior matchday squad in February and featured just four more times before his debut. It capped a strong campaign for the England U18 talent, after one goal and three assists in 18 U23 appearances for the Birmingham side’s academy.
Smith will now expect to see Chukwuemeka contend for more regular minutes in the Aston Villa first-team next season. The Villans boss is almost certain to afford him opportunities to build a name in the senior game, after the Villans ruled out a loan transfer this summer.
Villa chiefs told the former Northampton Town trainee that he would not be leaving the club until, at least, January. They will reassess his situation over the winter to decide if he needs to leave temporarily to feature more regularly.
In the meantime, Smith will want to see Chukwuemeka fulfil his fledgling reputation in Aston Villa colours. The Athletic note the attacking midfielder, who idolises Brazil icon Kaka, has been likened to Manchester United’s Paul Pogba.
Chukwuemeka is a tall but pacey maestro at the tip of the engine room with an eye for goal. He has also started to impress some teammates in first-team sessions, with a will to drive at defenders with a brave presence on the ball.
Smith will want the Chukwuemeka earning Premier League interest for Aston Villa
While The Athletic note Chukwuemeka resembles Pogba and idolises Kaka, Smith will want to see that on the pitch. His courageous style has already seen the teenager rise rapidly through the Villans’ ranks, and also attract rival interest.
Chukwuemeka caught more than one club’s attention with his efforts in Aston Villa’s academy last season. The Times reported in February that Liverpool, Manchester United, Man City, Bayern Munich and Juventus were all monitoring his progress in Birmingham.
The Times also noted Villa Park chiefs believe Chukwuemeka has the potential to replicate Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham’s rises. The former joined Manchester United for £73m in July, while the latter moved to Borussia Dortmund for £25m last year.
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