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UEFA Rule To Prevent Samuel Chukwueze From Rejoining Villarreal
A UEFA rule will reportedly prevent Nigerian winger, Samuel Chukwueze from returning to Spanish La Liga club, Villarreal on loan ahead of the January transfer window.
Recall that Samuel Chukwueze joined Italian Serie A giants, AC Milan from Villarreal during last summer’s transfer window.
The deal scaled through after a series of back and forth between Villarreal and AC Milan due to the transfer fee the Spanish La Liga club was demanding.
At the end of the prolonged negotiations, AC Milan paid €20 million transfer fee plus €8 million in add-ons.
Samuel Chukwueze made this switch a season after he scored 13 goals and provided 11 assists for Villarreal.
Unfortunately, the 24-year-old Nigeria international has struggled to repeat the form that got him the move to San Siro, managing just two goals in 17 games.
On the other hand, Villarreal have been struggling in the Spanish first division since Chukwueze left the club, and as a result, they are currently ranked 13th on the log.
Villarreal’s coach Marcelino, is eager to bolster the team in January, and although Chukwueze has been named his top target, the Nigerian cannot play for the Spanish team again due to a UEFA rule.
AS.com explained: “Villarreal needs to strengthen its team in this winter market, an option that currently focuses on signing a central defender and a right winger. The club is working on market possibilities, with both positions being priorities for Marcelino. In the case of the right winger, one of the possibilities could have been the return of the Nigerian Samuel Chukwueze, since he knows the house perfectly, adding that it would be an immediate performance reinforcement.
“But that possibility has been ruled out from the first moment since the player cannot return on loan to the team he left before his contract expired. It should be remembered that Villarreal transferred Chukwueze this summer to Milan for around €28m, leaving the player with one more year on his contract. For this reason, UEFA considers that the winger has two federative licenses this season: that of Milan and that of Villarreal.”
Arsenal midfielder, Thomas Partey is set to make a return from injury by the end of January.
Partey has made good progress in his rehabilitation work and will hand the Gunners a timely boost.
The Ghanaian has been plagued with different injuries throughout his time in England and picked up a groin problem at the beginning of the season.
He briefly returned to action in October, but picked up another long-term muscular injury.
Partey was then left out of Ghana’s final squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
However, The Mirror reports that the 30-year-old has shown progress in his rehabilitation work and could return to the first team ahead of their Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on January 30.
Chelsea’s stance on sacking their manager, Mauricio Pochettino has been revealed.
Pochettino is under significant pressure as head coach at Stamford Bridge due to the club’s not too impressive display this season.
The Argentine recently watched as Middlesbrough defeated the Blues 1-0 in the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg tie.
His team currently sit in the 10th position on the Premier League table after 20 games this season.
However, according to The Telegraph, Pochettino’s job is safe for now despite their latest defeat to Middlesbrough.
The report added that his position at the west London club is not in jeopardy while Chelsea have a ‘realistic chance’ of qualifying for Europe.
Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro has said his side can’t use the difficult weather condition in Abidjan as an excuse ahead of their opening game at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The West Africans arrived Abidjan in buoyant mood on Wednesday morning despite losing 2-0 to Guinea in a friendly two days earlier.
The Eagles had a light training session after setting down at their base, the magnificent Pullman Hotel.
Peseiro stated that his team must focus on the task ahead and not allow any form of distraction.
“We cannot give excuses about the weather; we need to put in our focus, adapt well and do our best ahead of the first match, which is very important for us,” he told NFF TV.
The Super Eagles will open their campaign at the 2023 AFCON finals against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.
They will also face hosts, Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau in the group stage.
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