"my parents used to seize my boots and even burnt them."

Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze has risen to prominence this season, becoming a regular for the relegation-threatened Yellow Submarine, appearing in 24 La Liga matches in his inaugural season for the first team.

Hype around the 19-year old winger went to another level at the start of April, after he scored and provided an assist in Villarreal's wild 4-4 draw with Barcelona at the Estadio de la Ceramica.

Chukwueze's performances have not gone unnoticed with a host of European clubs after his signature, despite his minimal experience. Liverpool, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Arsenal, and Leicester City are all interested in acquiring the talented Nigerian's services, but first, he will be looking to inspire 14th place Villarreal to La Liga survival.

With Chukwueze's name set to feature regularly in the summer transfer window rumour mill, here's six things to know about the Super Eagles' rising star...

1. He Has Been Called the Reincarnation of Arjen Robben


Despite playing less than 20 matches in Europe, Chukwueze has already found himself compared to one of the game's greatest modern attackers. As a left-footed right winger with the constant desire to take defenders on and fire at goal, it's impossible not see aspects of the Dutchman's game in Chukwueze.

Robben, who has scored 98 goals in 198 Bundesliga appearances has certainly shown a clinical side that Chukwueze is lacking, although the Villarreal winger has managed four goals this season.




The then 16-year-old was expected to join the Gunners in a £3m move that included fellow Nigerian youngster Kelechi Nwakali, with the pair even being pictured alongside Wenger.

However, the deal fell through at the last minute with Nwakali heading to north London on his own while Chukwueze joined Villarreal in 2017. The failed move will cost Arsenal millions if they are able to entice him to the Premier League this summer.

3. He Is Already an International Star


After emerging as a Villarreal first-team player, Chukwueze made his Nigeria debut against Uganda in October.

The talented youngster is so highly regarded in his home country that he won the 2018 Nigerian Young Player of the Year Award, beating Victor Osimhen of Wolfsburg as well as Former  Everton's front man Henry Onyekuru to the prize.

4. His Goalscoring Exploits Has Placed Him with the Elites


Chukwueze joined a group of extremely talented youngsters when he became the fourth-youngest goalscorer in La Liga this season after finding the net in Villarreal's 2-2 draw with Rayo Vallecano last November.


At 19 years, five months, and 20 days, the only younger La Liga scorers Last season were Real Madrid sensation Vinicius Junior, Atletico Madrid striker Borja Garces, and Huesca's Watford-owned Cucho.

5. He Is Already a World Cup Winner...at Youth Level


Chukwueze made his international debut for the senior Nigeria team in 2018 but had already established himself on the world stage after winning the Under-17 World Cup in Chile.

Nigeria beat Mali 2-0 in the final with Chukwueze starting and playing 80 minutes of the triumphant victory. In addition, the rising star scooped the tournament's Bronze Boot after notching three goals and three assists.

6. Chukwueze's Meteoric Rise Has Proven a Number of Doubters Wrong


Although he has shot to the very top of the football world at the age of 19, Chukwueze's path wasn't always simple with his parents even attempting to hinder his career when he was a young child in Nigeria.

Speaking in an interview with TheCable in 2016, Chukwueze described the efforts his parents would go to in order to stop him from playing football.

Chukwueze said: “When I was growing up playing football, my parents used to seize my boots and even burn them. So, as to prevent me from going to play football.”

7. He is the latest recruit to Jay-z Roc Nation

 

Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports agency have confirmed that they have added Nigerian youngster, Samuel Chukwueze, to their roster after agreeing on terms with the player’s representatives, 10 Management.
The 20-year-old thus becomes the first Nigerian and second African player to be signed on by the sports management agency owned by the rap icon.
Chukwueze joins other big stars like Borussia Dortmund’s Axel Witsel, Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng and Manchester United duo, Romelu Lukaku and Eric Bailly, on the list of football stars associated with the brand.


Chukwueze is a future star in the making