Carney Chukwuemeka

Carney Chibueze Chukwuemeka (born 20 October 2003) is an Austrian-born English Nigerian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or left winger for Premier League club Chelsea. A product of the Northampton Town and Aston Villa academies, Chukwuemeka made his debut for the latter club's first team in 2021, before signing for Chelsea in 2022.^[4]

Carney Chukwuemeka

Personal information
Full name	Carney Chibueze Chukwuemeka[1]
Date of birth	(2003-10-20) 20 October 2003 (age 21)[2]
Place of birth	Eisenstadt, Austria
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.87 m)[3]
Position(s)	Attacking midfielder, left winger
Team information
Current team	Chelsea
Number	17
Youth career
0000–2016	Northampton Town
2016–2021	Aston Villa
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2021–2022	Aston Villa	14	(0)
2022–	Chelsea	23	(1)
International career
2019	England U17	2	(0)
2020–2021	England U18	3	(1)
2021–2022	England U19	13	(6)
2022–2023	England U20	7	(0)
Medal record Men's football Representing  England UEFA European Under-19 Championship Winner 2022 Slovakia
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:23, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Club career

Aston Villa

Chukwuemeka joined the Aston Villa academy from the Northampton Town academy in March 2016.^[5][6] He signed his first professional contract with Villa in July 2020.^[7]

Chukwuemeka made his senior debut for the team on 19 May 2021 in a 2–1 away victory over Tottenham Hotspur, hitting the post within minutes of entering the game.^[6][8] On 23 May 2021, he was named Aston Villa Academy Player of the Season for the 2020–21 season.^[9] The following day, Chukwuemeka was part of the Aston Villa U18s squad that won the FA Youth Cup, beating Liverpool U18s 2–1 in the final.^[10]

Chukwuemeka made his first senior start on 24 August 2021 in a 6–0 victory against Barrow in the second round of the EFL Cup, and made his first league start four days later in a 1–1 draw with Brentford, a performance Paul Merson hailed as "outstanding", adding "he will be an absolute star".^[11]

Chelsea

On 2 August 2022, Aston Villa and Chelsea confirmed that the clubs had reached an agreement for the permanent transfer of Chukwuemeka, subject to the player agreeing personal terms and undergoing a medical.^[12][13] On 4 August 2022, Chelsea announced the signing of Chukwuemeka on a six-year contract.^[14][15]

On 20 August 2023, Chukwuemeka scored his first senior goal in a 3–1 loss to West Ham United, later in the same match he was substituted after suffering a knee injury.^[16]

International career

Chukwuemeka is eligible to play for the national teams of Austria,^[17] England and Nigeria.^[5] After making two appearances for England U17 national team, on 29 March 2021, he made his debut for the England U18 squad in 2–0 victory over Wales.^[18]

On 2 September 2021, Chukwuemeka made his debut for the England U19s during a 2–0 victory over Italy U19s at St. George's Park, he also captained the side.^[19] On 10 November 2021, he scored his first goal at this level, in a 4–0 victory over Andorra U19 in a 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification match.^[20]

On 17 June 2022, Chukwuemeka was named in the England squad for the 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals.^[21] Chukwuemeka featured in every game of their tournament, scoring in group stage victories against Austria and Serbia.^[22] On 1 July 2022, he scored the second goal in England's 3–1 extra time victory over Israel in the final.^[23][24] His performances during the competition led to his inclusion in the UEFA team of the tournament.^[25]

On 21 September 2022, Chukwuemeka made his England U20 debut during a 3–0 victory over Chile at the Pinatar Arena.^[26] On 10 May 2023, Chukwuemeka was included in the England squad for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.^[27][28] However, he didn't arrive at the tournament until after the group stages due to his club commitments.^[29] His only appearance of the tournament saw him start in their round of sixteen defeat against Italy.^[30]

Personal life

Chukwuemeka is of Igbo descent. He was born in Austria to Nigerian parents and then later moved and was raised in Northampton, England.^[5] His older brother Caleb plays as a forward for Swiss club AC Bellinzona.^[31]

He attended St James CofE primary school in Northampton and then Northampton School for Boys with his brother.^[32]

Career statistics

As of match played 7 November 2024^[33]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		EFL Cup		Europe		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Aston Villa U21	2020–21	—			—		—		—		2[a]	0	2	0
	2021–22	—			—		—		—		2[a]	0	2	0
	Total		—		—		—		—		4	0	4	0
Aston Villa	2020–21	Premier League	2	0	0	0	0	0	—		—		2	0
	2021–22	Premier League	12	0	0	0	2	0	—		—		14	0
	Total		14	0	0	0	2	0	—		—		16	0
Chelsea	2022–23	Premier League	14	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	—		15	0
	2023–24	Premier League	9	1	2	1	1	0	—		—		12	2
	2024–25	Premier League	0	0	0	0	1	0	2[b]	0	0	0	3	0
	Total		23	1	3	1	2	0	2	0	0	0	30	2
Career total			37	1	3	1	4	0	2	0	4	0	50	2

1. Appearances in EFL Trophy
2. Appearances in UEFA Conference League

Honours

Aston Villa

• FA Youth Cup: 2020-21

England U19

• UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2022

Individual

• UEFA European Under-19 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2022^[34]
• Aston Villa Academy Player of the Season: 2020–21

References

1. "Squad List: FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023: England (ENG)" (PDF). FIFA. 22 May 2023. p. 6. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
2. "Carney Chukwuemeka". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
3. "Carney Chukwuemeka". Chelseafc.com. Chelsea F.C. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
4. "Carney Chukwuemeka – Profile". Aston Villa F.C. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
5. Maston, Tom (15 April 2021). "Carney Chukwuemeka: Aston Villa wonderkid that Europe's top clubs are queuing up to sign". Goal. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
6. Watson, Chris; Cusack, Richard (15 May 2021). "Carney Chukwuemeka – transfer talk, contract and Villa plan". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
7. Preece, Ashley (27 July 2020). "Aston Villa tie down 'best 16-year-old in England' Chukwuemeka". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
8. Brand, Gerard (20 May 2021). "Tottenham 1–2 Aston Villa: Sloppy Spurs beaten on fans' return to leave European hopes under threat". Sky Sports. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
9. "Martinez voted Supporters' Player of the Season 🏆". Aston Villa Football Club. 23 May 2021. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
10. Preece, Ashley (24 May 2021). "Aston Villa vs Liverpool FA Youth Cup final LIVE updates". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
11. Mir, Amir (29 August 2021). "Paul Merson delivers verdict on Chukwuemeka's performance for Aston Villa v Brentford". HITC. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
12. "Aston Villa agree Chukwuemeka departure". Aston Villa FC. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
13. "Chukwuemeka transfer agreed". Chelsea FC. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
14. "Chukwuemeka signing confirmed". Chelsea FC. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
15. "Carney Chukwuemeka: Chelsea sign Aston Villa midfielder for £20m". BBC Sport. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
16. "West Ham 3-1 Chelsea: Mauricio Pochettino still waiting for first victory as Blues manager". Sky Sports. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
17. Guyett, Matthew (26 April 2023). "Chelsea midfielder approached by Austria to switch national team – Reports". sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
18. Keen, Liam (29 March 2021). "Villa young Lions roar for England". Express & Star. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
19. Veevers, Nicholas (2 September 2021). "England MU19s 2-0 Italy". EnglandFootball.com. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
20. "England-Andorra | Under-19". UEFA. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
21. "Aston Villa trio named in England squad for U19 Euros". Aston Villa Football Club. 17 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
22. Boswell, Zinny (1 July 2022). "Meet England's Young Lions gunning for glory in Under-19s European Championships final against Israel". Sky Sports. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
23. Honeyman, Sam (1 July 2022). "Israel 1-3 England (aet): Chukwuemeka and Ramsey the extra-time heroes as Young Lions fight back". UEFA. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
24. Sansom, Dan (1 July 2022). "Israel U19 1-3 England U19 (AET): Young Lions come from behind to win European Championship". Sky Sports. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
25. "2022 Under-19 EURO Team of the Tournament". UEFA. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
26. Crane, Liam (21 September 2022). "Report: England MU20s 3-0 Chile". EnglandFootball.com. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
27. Veevers, Nick (10 May 2023). "England MU20s squad named for World Cup in Argentina". EnglandFootball.com. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
28. "Fifa Under-20 World Cup: England name squad for tournament". BBC Sport. 11 May 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
29. Kinsella, Nizaar (29 May 2023). "Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka jets off to join England squad at the Under-20 World Cup". Evening Standard. London. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
30. "Italy oust England at U20 World Cup thanks to late penalty". ESPN. 1 June 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
31. "Tabor has brought in the older brother of a Chelsea player: Forward Caleb Chukwuemeka, who last played for Aston Villa, joins in Sežana – Planet Nogomet". 29 February 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
32. Townley, John (15 December 2021). "'A different level, 93 goals, six hat-tricks' – The making of Aston Villa's Chukwuemeka brothers". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
33. Carney Chukwuemeka at Soccerway. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
34. "2022 Under-19 EURO Team of the Tournament". UEFA. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2024.

External links

• Profile at the Chelsea F.C. website