'Game changer'- Dortmund coach hails Chukwuemeka amid buzz around Chelsea loanee's int'l future

Borussia Dortmund manager Nico Kovac has showered praise on midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka following his influential performance in the 3-2 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach on Sunday.

Chukwuemeka was returning from injury that saw him miss Dortmund’s midweek Champions League tie against Barcelona.

He wasted no time making his presence felt, playing a pivotal role in all three of Dortmund’s goals — showcasing his prowess as both a ball-winner and a creative distributor.

"He was the game changer,” Kovac said in his post-match interview, according to Dortmund's official webpage. 

"Carney is fantastic on the ball. He's quick to turn and immediately attacks the opponent. When you score the first goal in Dortmund,” he added, ”and then the second, we all know what happens in this stadium with our fantastic fans."

The Chelsea loanee won nine of his first ten duels and ended the match with a 76 percent success rate in challenges — a testament to his dominance in midfield.

Since arriving on loan, Chukwuemeka has made seven Bundesliga appearances, scoring once and consistently impressing with his dynamic play.

With Chukwuemeka's stock on the rise, his future at international level looks set to become a hot topic in the months ahead.

His standout performance has reportedly caught the attention of Nigeria national team coach Eric Chelle, who is exploring options to bolster his squad ahead of the Unity Cup and the resumption of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Despite representing England at youth level, Carney Chukwuemeka remains eligible to play for Nigeria, as he's yet to future for the Three Lions in a competitive match. 

Adeyemi Adewale

Photo Credit: bvb.de

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