TheCable

With just four days to the opening of the January transfer window, Samuel Chukwueze, Super Eagles winger, says he will only leave Villarreal to another club if he is guaranteed a regular playing time.

Chukwueze, who has been linked with a move to Chelsea in January, told TheCable that he has to be given assurance that he won’t be on the bench if he decides to part ways with the Javier Calleja side.

Chelsea may make a big money move for the Super Eagles winger during the winter market, according to Sky Sports report.

It is believed that Frank Lampard has a budget of £150 million to spend during the January transfer window to beef up his team.

“Any club that wants to sign me will have to give me the assurance that I am going to be playing,” Chukwueze told TheCable.

“It is not about moving from one club to the other. Maybe if I move to another club, I may be put on the bench.

“As long as I am fit, I need to be playing and that’s the only option. Except maybe I am not 100 percent fit, that’s an entirely different situation.”

The 20-year old talented footballer, who has scored 11 career goals and 5 assists in 54 appearances for Villarreal’ first team, also disclosed that he would rather stay with the La Liga side that gave him — not just the opportunity to play regularly but — confidence to express himself on the pitch of play.

“I want to stay where I can play and they gave me the platform and confidence to play,” he said.

“They allowed me to express myself on the pitch because I am still growing.”

Chukwueze also extolled the virtue of Santi Carzola, former Arsenal forward, describing him as his mentor in Villarreal.

“Santi Carzola is a very nice guy. He teaches me so many things. He used to tell me that I need to be more confident on the pitch,” he said.

“That I need to be calm on the field, in front of the goal post, that I need to keep calm.”

Chukwueze, who has a release clause of €63 million, was close to moving to the English Premier League in 2017 to play for Arsenal before he joined Villarreal.