(Villarreal)
Shortlisted for the 2019 Kopa Trophy –
the Ballon d’Or spin-off for the world’s
best under-21 player – the Nigerian
winger managed just one vote in the
final poll. But he need not be too
disappointed, especially as his sole
backer was Lionel Messi...
Messi knows an exciting, pulse-raising
attacker when he sees one and the
Villarreal star is most definitely that:
lightning quick, an irresistible dribbler and
able to effortlessly co-ordinate his upper
body and lower limbs at high speed. A
left-footed right-winger, he is a big fan
of the Dutch flank-master Arjen Robben.
And it shows.
Known as “Samu”’ in La Liga circles,
he can score extraordinary goals too,
the best example being a wonderful solo
effort in a 3-0 Copa del Rey victory at
Girona in January, taking on and beating
a string of mystified defenders prior to
firing home.
According to France Football, Liverpool
made an abortive attempt to sign him in
the last transfer window as back-up for
Mohamed Salah. They apparently offered
€35million but were turned down flat,
with the Spanish club insisting they were
looking for a figure much closer to his
€65m release clause. Other suitors are
thought to include Real Madrid, Chelsea
and Arsenal.
A graduate of the Diamond Football
Academy in his home town of Umuahia,
he first made a ripple on the international
pond when playing a key role in his
country’s triumph at the 2015 World
Under-17 finals, scoring three goals and
creating another four.
Following that impressive showing he
was contacted by clubs from England,
Portugal and Austria before plumping
for a place in the Villarreal youth ranks.
Nick Bidwell(Lille)
In his first season
in the French top
flight after arriving
for just €12 m
last summer
from Belgian side
Charleroi, the 21-
year-old striker
has enjoyed a rip-
roaring time with
LOSC. Interestingly,
he is not one of
Lille’s top earners,
banking €80,000
a month.(Borussia Dortmund)
Much to the
dismay of
Juventus, PSG,
Bayern Munich
and Chelsea, the
always-raiding
Moroccan right-
back or wing-back
is likely to return to
Real Madrid when
his successful
two-year loan stint
with Dortmund
imminently comes
to an end.VICTOR OSIMHEN ACHRAF HAKIMI
SAMUEL CHUKWUEZE
MOST WANTED African Aces
Liverpool apparently offered €35million, only for his Spanish club to turn it down
flat, insisting they were looking for a figure much closer to his €65m release clause