Marcel Desailly says Carney Chukwuemeka was ‘like an artist’ during Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat to David Moyes’ West Ham United on Sunday.
The 19-year-old scored Chelsea’s only goal of the game, as they suffered a deserved defeat to their London rivals, who were down to ten men midway through the second half.
Initially, it was West Ham who opened the scoring, before Carney Chukwuemeka showcased his dancing feet and scored his first senior goal to the delight of Desailly, who called him ‘clinical’, as he told Premier League Productions (20/08/23 at 5:30 pm).
That was a moment Chukwuemeka will remember for a long time because, after signing from Aston Villa last summer, he has found life tough at Stamford Bridge, including working under four managers.
Just before the half-time break, the England U21 international went down injured and couldn’t continue, at the time the scores were level, before the Hammers got the better of Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
One point from two games isn’t the start Pochettino would have wanted, with Desailly waxing-lyrical about the club’s teenage star.
“I like Carney Chukwuemeka because he is like an artist who comes onto the stage,” said Desailly.
“He has got the ball. Now is my moment. Shine. You see the dribbling. He is sure about what he is going to do and he is clinical. I love it.”
Game changed after Chukwuemeka’s sub
At the half-time break, Pochettino didn’t make a like-for-like sub, with January capture Mykhailo Mudryk coming on for Chukwuemeka.
That ball-carrying ability from Chukwuemeka, including the bravery he shows in taking the ball in difficult situations, is what Chelsea missed and West Ham pounced on.
That’s four points in two games for the Hammers after selling Declan Rice and one point for Chelsea after spending over £300 million just this summer.
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