Former Premier League scout Filippo Giraldi sees shades of Dele Alli in the £20 million-rated Aston Villa wonderkid Carney Chukwuemeka, speaking to Tuttomercatoweb.
Of course, that is meant as a compliment.
Alli’s career might have stalled like a rusty Vauxhal Nova spluttering into a lay-by. But it should not be forgotten just how highly regarded the Everton misfit was regarded a couple of years ago.
Remember that scintillating performance against Real Madrid in the Champions League? That one-man destruction of Antonio Conte’s Chelsea at Stamford Bridge? Did we mention his pair of PFA Young Player of the Year awards?
And 18-year-old Chukwuemeka, according to Giraldi, plays the game with the same swagger and grace of a young Alli. A record of six goals in 13 caps for the Three Lions at U19 level suggests that he, like the former Tottenham star, boasts has an eye for end product too.
Will Aston Villa lose wonderkid Carney Chukwuemeka?
“I’ve seen him live several times. (Chukwuemeka is) interesting, elegant in his movements,” says Giraldi, who spent nearly a decade as a chief scout and sporting director at Watford.
“He hasn’t played a lot, but you can see that he has great potential. It is not uncommon for young Englishmen to quickly reach the possibility of playing. Is the next step which is more difficult.
“He reminds me of the first Dele Alli. He has great ease in playing and great potential. Alli is a bit lost now but he has always had great talent.”
Chukwuemeka’s uncertain future continues to hang like a dark cloud over Aston Villa’s pre-season plans, with Steven Gerrard speaking openly about the 18-year-old’s reluctance to extend his contract at Bodymoor Heath.
According to talkSPORT, this has not stopped Aston Villa from demanding £20 million for a teenager with just two Premier League starts under his belt. Newcastle United and Manchester City, among others, are reportedly keen.
But Chukwuemeka is not the only rising midfield star strutting his stuff in claret-and-blue.
“There is a lot of talent at the Villans,” Giraldi adds. “I’ll give you another name; Jacob Ramsey.
“(He) impressed me. He made over 60 appearances (and) he produces important numbers. Aston Villa has a strong midfield.”
Ramsey, an emphatic finisher and a fearsome athlete in the mould of Villa boss Steven Gerrard, scored six league goals last season.
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