Samuel Chukwueze — Scouting Profile
A football scouting profile of the thriving 20-year old Nigeria and Villarreal CF winger, Samuel Chukwueze
20-year old Samuel Chukwueze was signed by Villarreal CF from the Diamond Academy in Nigeria in July 2017 for €500,000. Just two years later, his estimated market value has risen dramatically. Following an excellent season with the Villarreal first team last year and a thrilling African Cup of Nations run with Nigeria, he will be one to watch for this season and beyond. At just 20 years old, Chukwueze has already featured in 10 matches for the Nigerian senior squad and at least 42 matches for Villareal in the Copa del Rey, La Liga, and the Europa League.
Chukwueze started with Villarreal B and played in their 17/18 and 18/19 league campaigns when he did not receive a call-up from the senior squad. In his 26 league game appearances with the Villarreal first team last season he scored 5 goals and set his teammates up twice. He will look to build on that figure this year as he gets more first team appearances alongside experienced players like Gerard Moreno, Carlos Bacca, and Santi Cazorla, among others. Chukwueze shines on the right-hand side where he has space to run and cut inside on his stronger left foot. He is not afraid to take players on and rip in shots from seemingly difficult positions inside and outside of the box. He has plenty of room to improve his crossing, hold-up play, and combinations with his fellow forwards but he has plenty of time to grow into a more well-rounded and productive attacker.
While he has played at both a center forward and left-winger, most of Chukwueze’s most promising attacking moves come from him taking on defenders in the middle-right to right half of the attacking third. When he has space to take on defenders, his pace and killer instinct can cause problems for defenders. The video above shows a glimpse of his skills against a world-class opponent in Real Madrid. He seems fearless taking on players like Sergio Ramos and Casemiro. While he exhibits some of the traits typical of young attackers like being a little selfish or too indecisive, he seems fearless and very direct. His attacking and dribbling styles are reminiscent of Arjen Robben; bombing down the right flank before cutting in on his left foot looks to be a trademark move already employed with success no matter how predictable it might be.
In addition to his more proactive and direct dribbling style, he seemingly fairs well in tighter spaces. As shown in the highlights in the match for Nigeria vs. South Africa, he can and does control the ball with ease in tighter spaces as he finds his way to the opponent’s 18-yard box. Similar players at his age might lose the ball and get nervous the closer they get to goal i.e. less space to work with and more defenders in that space. Chukwueze acts quickly in these situations, either firing off a shot or knocking the ball to an open teammate if a clear dribbling lane collapses.
While Chukwueze will undoubtedly benefit the more time he spends alongside experienced players at Villarreal he still has room to progress. A few of his completed crosses/mid-range passes are shown in the highlight videos. He has an awkwardly pointed follow through and form that results in slower lofted balls to teammates. The crossing style does not seem to effect the accuracy too much although it does appear to have an impact on the speed and effectiveness of attacking combinations in some situations. When a counter attack is slowed down by a second to adjust for the height of an awkward cross and another second after that to re-direct the ball without forward spin, it can come to a premature end — recycling possession, a shot from a less advantageous position, or the defense catching up and interrupting what was a promising attack.
Chukwueze’s strengths far outweigh his weaknesses/areas for improvement. With the experienced players around him and more regular playing time at his young age, his offensive production and market value will likely increase. His current contract runs until 2023. Add in a reported €63–70 million buy-out clause in his contract and it might just keep away any interested Spanish teams for a bit longer. Interested foreign clubs can avoid paying the official buy-out clause but his value will likely be out of reach for all but a handful of top European clubs if he can keep up his performances for Villareal and Nigeria.
Potential and Predictions
Samuel Chukwueze — Potential: 8.15/10.
Short-term predictions (1–2 years): Chukwueze has a contract until 2023 which will likely prevent medium-sized Spanish clubs from paying his buy-out clause. While I believe he has a great deal of potential, I do not see a giant like Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid, or FC Barcelona signing him just yet. Provided that a middle-tier English club loses a key attacking player over the next few years, I could see Chukwueze making the jump for a fee between €45–55 million. Otherwise, I do not think a club will pay up until closer to the expiration of his contract.
Long-term predictions (3–5 years): It is difficult to predict but I see a transfer move away from Villareal just prior to the expiration of his current contract. His performances against top clubs like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona in Spain will certainly catch the eyes of top scouts. At his current age, I do not think he can replace the attackers at top clubs in Spain and maybe at a single club within the top 5 of England just yet. Give it 3 years and I see his potential turning into enough consistent performances to earn a spot at a world class club.
Market value prediction: Chukwueze will only get more starts with Villarreal and Nigeria with time provided that he stays healthy. These will factor in to increase his potential market value as a player. His current estimated value is €30 million according to transfermarkt.com with a buy-out clause allegedly at about €65 million. I see his estimated market value rising to €40 million (give or take €2 million) by the end of the season and at least €50 million by the end of the 2021/22 season if he can continue on his current path.
Thank you for reading! I hope to share more scouting profiles, among other articles, in the near future. If you have questions about how players like Lisandro Martínez at Ajax or Erling Braut Håland are signed and scouted, check out my article series! Please feel free to share your thoughts and comments with me here and via email at schmidtker8@gmail.com.
P.S. I might present this information in Spanish and/or Portuguese. If this would be of interest to any reader, please let me know!
