By Daily Sports on December 10, 2019
Nigeria forward Samuel Chukwueze has spoken of some missed opportunities earlier in his career as he continues to shine for Spanish LaLiga side Villarreal.
Chukwueze was a star of the Nigeria side that competed at the 2015 FIFA Under-17 World Cup and looked set for a move to one of Europe’s top clubs.
But those deals failed to materialise and he was left to pick up the pieces of a failed dream and work harder to achieve his goals.
“I have had setbacks, when I had so many options to sign with Porto, Arsenal and [Red Bull] Salzburg, but it didn’t happen. Then I went back to my academy and started training all over again,” Chukwueze told the Nigeria Football Federation.
“It was difficult for me at that moment because my teammates had signed some contracts with their teams and I was back home training with my academy before Villarreal picked me up.
“It shows me that you need to keep your head down and keep working harder. If things are not working properly as you think, you need to keep you head down.
“I think I am in a perfect place because of the setback, assuming I went to the club that I was looking at, maybe I won’t be where I am today, so it taught me some lessons.”
Chukwueze, 20, joined Villarreal in 2017, but made his breakthrough in the first team last season and has been a star performer for them since, netting eight goals in 27 LaLiga stars, a good return for a wide player. (African Football)
•PHOTO: Samuel Chukwueze
Source Daily Sports
Posted December 10, 2019
You may also like...
World Cup: At last, Russia here we come!...
Late Grant Goal Earns West Brom Draw At...
Simeone will coach Inter 'sooner or later,' says...
Liverpool’s Klopp plays down Kane fatigue concerns ahead...
Insigne beats Buffon as Napoli held by PSG...
Official: Andre Ayew’s Swansea City Departure Confirmed

Super Falcons unveil 10-star jersey ahead of WAFCON 2026
From Sporting Lisbon to Al Nassr: Ronaldo’s records so far
WAFCON favourites Nigeria eye World Cup slot, record prize money
Wikki Tourists administrator tasks players, coaches on NPFL return
Golf: Port Harcourt to host Nigerian National Finals
I’ve had enough, sprinter Onyah threatens to dump Nigeria
Onyeka warns teammates ahead EPL opener
The real money behind football’s biggest prizes
Nigeria to host CAF General Assembly November
Lessons from the 2026 FIFA World Cup Finals
NSSF boss Joseph elected ISF Africa president
Nigeria seek final spots at ITTF Africa Youth Champs
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,972 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,323 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,225 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,829 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,710 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,581 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,474 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,987 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,203 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,673 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (48,155 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,535 views)