Udinese U19 captain Nwachukwu names Real Madrid and Liverpool centre-backs as his role models 

Udinese U19 star Samuel Nwachukwu has revealed that two central defenders with English Premier League experience are his role models. 

In an interview with Udinese official channel, Nwachukwu admitted that he models his game after former Chelsea star now at Real Madrid, Antonio Rüdiger and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk. 

Blessed with leadership qualities despite his young age, Nwachukwu is the captain of Udinese's Primavera squad. 

The 18-year-old has been tipped for a first team breakthrough at the Bianconeri in the not too distant future. 

This season, he has been named in the first team squad on five occasions, including three for Serie A games, and made his senior debut in a Coppa Italia clash against Cagliari in November 2023, coming off the bench to replace Axel Guessand in the fifth minute of extra time. 

One of the first names on the U19s teamsheet, Nwachukwu has started twenty-six out of the 29 matches played by Udinese in the Campionato Primavera 2 this season. 

When asked to reveal his role model, Nwachukwu said: "I have two points of reference: Rudiger, for his impact on man and his malice, and Van Dijk, who I like for his composure and ability with the ball at his feet."

Nwachukwu started playing football very early, at the age of four, and frequently played up his age group before he was promoted to Udinese's U19 squad.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: udinese.it

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