Aston Villa youngster Chukwuemeka reportedly attracting European interest

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Aston Villa teenager Carney Chukwuemeka is reportedly catching the eye of teams on the continent following reports that Premier League sides were also monitoring the 17-year-old midfielder.

The Athletic report that Chukwuemeka is being watched by several European clubs, namely Monaco, who believe they can tempt the Austrian-born England youth international away from Villa with an offer of a fast-track route to the senior set-up, with the youngster yet to make his first-team debut under Dean Smith for the Birmingham-based club. The Guardian also reported last week that Manchester City are interested in the midfielder.

With the success stories of Jadon Sancho and this season Jude Bellingham, European clubs are beginning to scour English youth academies for hidden gems to add to their first team, and Chukwuemeka, who grew up idolising AC Milan and Brazil legend Kaka as per The Atheltic report, could be the latest name to depart British shores for life in mainland Europe.

Villa currently sits ninth in Division 2 of the Premier League 2 league structure, though Chukwuemeka has been a star for the young Villains squad, with The Athletic report stating that the teenager is developing quicker than expected despite not yet making the step up to first-team football.

TBR View: First-team minutes could sway Chukwuemeka into staying with Villa

The English invasion of Europe that was kick-started by Sancho back in 2017 has been a turning point for football in this country, with youngsters now taking their talents to the continent at a young age rather than living in hope that a first-team opportunity will arise eventually, and for Villa, they need to ensure Chukwuemeka that he is already at the right club for his development.

With six games left of the season left to play, Chukwuemeka should be handed his debut between now and the end of the campaign if Smith is serious about keeping one of the club’s best youth players with the team with big European clubs keeping an on the teenage midfielder, and with injuries to the likes of Jack Grealish and Morgan Sanson, there is no excuse for the 17-year-old not to be earning a few minutes for the Villains.