'His appearances have looked assured' - Chelsea icon admits Chukwuemeka pushing for a start

Chelsea icon Pat Nevin has revealed that Carney Chukwuemeka is pushing hard for a start on the back of his brilliant performances for Chelsea off the bench in recent matches. 

The England U20 international of Nigerian descent has been involved in three of the last four games contested by the Blues in the Premier League and is now aiming to make his Champions League debut this evening against Noah Okafor's Salzburg. 

Against Brentford, Chukwuemeka put in a lot of effort, winning several balls and even had a chance to score the match winner but goalkeeper David Raya saved his shot at the near post. 

Nevin noted that there are stand-out signs that a full debut for the Anglo-Nigerian midfielder is inevitable in the coming days. 

Writing in his column for Chelsea's official website, Nevin stated : "If they have all had a boost in self-belief, even they could be overshadowed by the lift that Carney Chukwuemeka has got over the past few weeks.

"His appearances have looked assured and most Chelsea fans who have watched his cameos now know that he is pushing very hard for a start, maybe even before the month is out."

Nevin pointed out that Chukwuemeka has the confidence of his older teammates despite his young years. 

"One of the first things I look at when I see a new, but particularly a young player come on, is how is team-mates work with him.

"Do they trust him, do they give him the ball in tight areas, do they make runs believing he has the quality to find them.

"Well, the answers were all yes, within seconds each time he has come on."

The retired Scotland international highlighted that Chukwuemeka has brought pace to the Chelsea team when introduced off the bench. 

"The first stand out is that he has stunning pace driving from midfield, but the other qualities have quickly revealed themselves and I can’t wait for him to get even more game time.

"It is seriously tough to muscle your way into the Chelsea men’s first team, maybe especially in that midfield attacking area, but if you add the pace and power that Broja brings, then the young players breaking through could have a huge effect from here on in."

It is all but confirmed that Chukwuemeka will be named in Chelsea's matchday squad against Salzburg as he was part of the traveling party that arrived in Austria on Monday. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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