“In danger” – Chelsea star set to lose dressing room respect under Enzo Maresca after £40m deal
Carney Chukwuemeka, Raheem Sterling’s dressing room buddy at Chelsea, may be lost as part of a planned double transfer with AC Milan that includes Romelu Lukaku, the exiled striker.
Wearing the Chelsea blue in the Premier League hasn’t been easy for Sterling since he moved from Manchester City. Though he just joined the Blues from Aston Villa a month after Sterling’s move, youthful Chukwuemeka has remained a supporter of the England star.
However, Chukweumeka might be included in the deal since Lukaku is expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, meaning the England winger would have to bid farewell to a person who has supported him in the past.
Lukaku has been the subject of interest from a range of clubs but has been tipped to join AC Milan, where any deal could see Chukwuemeka follow him to the Serie A.
According to several reports, Lukaku is set to be offered a route back to the league where he lead the line for both AS Roma and Inter. The Rossoneri have also expressed an interest in acquiring the services of the young Chukwuemeka, albeit on an initial loan deal.
The youngster was quick to support Sterling during Chelsea’s FA quarter-final win over Leicester, where the English winger was booed off by his own fans as the match concluded.
Chukwuemeka’s goal in added time ensured that extra-time wasn’t necessary in that tie, and he stated post-match: “Raheem is an experienced player – he’s had an amazing career. We know what a great footballer he is. He’s contributed to goals, assists and won so many penalties for the team this season.
“It happens. He’s human. Players miss chances or have an off day. We stay behind him. He still got an assist for Cole Palmer’s goal. For us youngsters, especially me, he’s helped us a lot since we came. He’s always on at us, showing us what we can do better, what we can improve on. That’s outside of football as well as in.”
Chukwuemeka has been the subject of a series of loan offers, but Chelsea point to the fact that he has a £40million buyout clause in his contract and insists will not depart Stamford Bridge this summer.
However, on the back of Chelsea’s £30million signing of Leicester’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, competition for midfield places under Enzo Maresca will be fierce and Chukwuemeka could fall victim to this. Sterling would lose a loyal face in the squad should the young midfielder leave.