Aston Villa prodigy deemed one of the world’s 40 best youngsters, above Anfield and Bernabeu gems

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Aston Villa midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka is one of the best youngsters in England, that’s for sure.

At just 18 years of age, the Villa Park academy graduate has already made 13 senior appearances in claret-and-blue.

Indeed, Chukwuemeka has made 11 appearances in the Premier League, testament to highly rated he is.

Now, Goal.com has rated the Villans gem as one of the 40 best young players in world football.

The outlet has published their NxGn 2022 list, ranking the top 50 players born on or before 1 January 2003.

And Chukwuemeka has made it to number 37.

He is above the likes of Liverpool’s Kaide Gordon, Manchester United’s Shola Shoretide, and Real Madrid’s Bruno Iglesias.

Chukwuemeka is even above Brazilian wonderkid Endrick and Arsenal’s Mexico international Marcelo Flores.

“Back in March 2020, Aston Villa CEO Christian Purslow claimed that the club had “the best 16-year-old in England” on their books in Carney Chukwuemeka,” wrote Goal.com

“The midfielder is now making good on those claims, with a series of impressive cameos in the Premier League already under his belt.

“Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Liverpool have all previously considered signing the 18-year-old, who has been likened to Paul Pogba and Dele Alli in the past, and is now learning from one of the best midfielders of the past 20 years in Steven Gerrard.”

“Villa will sit down with him”

Chukwuemeka’s Villa contract runs until the summer of 2023.

In November, The Guardian reported that he wouldn’t sign a new contract, having grown frustrated at his lack of first-team opportunity.

Things have changed now, and Chukwuemeka is getting a decent amount of game time.

In February, Birmingham Mail journalist Ashley Preece hosted a Q&A and a fan asked about Chukwuemeka’s future.

He said: “As for Carney, Gerrard did say he’ll stay regardless but that could just have been smoke and mirrors to the media.

“I’d throw him a few starts now and see how he does.

“Villa will sit down with him again in the summer over a new deal. A decision will then be made re his future.”