'Out for sure' - Emery confirms Super Eagles star is ruled out of UEFA Super Cup clash vs Chelsea

Published: August 10, 2021

Villarreal boss Unai Emery has confirmed one of the worst-kept secrets regarding his team news for Wednesday night's UEFA Super Cup clash against Chelsea, which is the unavailability of Samuel Chukwueze.

There were strong indications that the Super Eagles star wasn't going to be involved against the Champions League winners as he didn't participate in any of the Yellow Submarine's pre-season fixtures, missing games against Valencia, Lyon, Levante, Marseille, Leicester City and Leeds United.

Chukwueze has been left behind in Spain as he continues his recovery from a muscle-related injury that he suffered during the second leg of last season's Europa League semifinal against Arsenal.

The right winger underwent surgery to fix the problem at the end of May and the initial prognosis suggested that he would be out of action for at least three months, ruling him out of the Super Cup clash against Chelsea.

Providing a fitness update during Tuesday evening's pre-match press conference, Emery was quoted as saying by the official website of UEFA : "It’s only after this next training session that we’ll see for sure who can play tomorrow.

"Parejo, Coquelin and Chukwueze are left behind so they’re out for sure.

"Some players haven’t had a single minute in training but because of their importance maybe they’ll be on the bench."

Last season, 2015 U17 World Cup winner Chukwueze played eleven matches for Villarreal in the Europa League and directly participated in five goals (1 goal, 4 assists) in 773 minutes of action.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com