It is rare for a player to complete 90 minutes in a pre-season opener. Yet Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka did just that against Wrexham in Santa Clara.
The morning after that fixture is when the 20-year-old is – by his own admission – feeling a little leggy. But there is undoubted satisfaction from starting and finishing the game.
‘It’s the first time I’ve played 90 minutes since last summer,’ he quickly highlights. ‘I’m pleased with that and getting those minutes under my belt early gives me something to build on in the games ahead.’
Being capable of completing 90 minutes was by Chukwuemeka’s design. The England Under-20 international worked hard throughout the summer to ensure he was physically ready come the first day of pre-season.
‘I pushed myself hard,’ he explains. ‘I had multiple training camps to ensure I returned fit and strong. That I think showed against Wrexham. I still felt it a little toward the end of the game, but the work I’d done meant I was in shape to play the full 90.’
For Chelsea and Chukwuemeka, the focus has shifted to Celtic, who we face tonight in Notre Dame. Games against Club America, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and then Inter Milan at Stamford Bridge follow.
Naturally, Chukwuemeka is focused on what comes next. But it would be remiss not to reflect on his journey last season. It was a campaign impacted by injury, the first of which was sustained in our second game, but one that enabled the young midfielder to grow.
‘Of course, it was frustrating,’ he says. ‘I had waited a long time for my chance and I had just got into the team. But things happen for a reason and I still took purpose from last season because there are positives you can take from a negative.
‘Physically and mentally I developed – and I always looked to the future rather than focus on my present struggles. I kept on praying and I think my relationship with God is one of the reasons I stayed grounded and mentally strong.
‘My family was also with me every step of the way to help me in the areas that I couldn’t do by myself.’
That family support was also given in the summer. ‘I went away with my cousins and the rest of my family. They help me stay grounded and focused. If there was a day I was feeling a bit tired, they made sure I got my work done.’
Aside from Chukwuemeka playing 90 minutes, what was also notable about his performance against Wrexham was his positioning on the right of midfield in the first half. It was a change from the norm.
‘I’m more used to being on the left side but it is good play in different areas of the pitch,’ he explains.
‘We’ve worked on the new shape in the first couple of weeks so it will take some time to adapt to it all, but the coach (Enzo Maresca) saw the ideas on the pitch and we worked well together.
‘So now it’s a case of building on that across the matches to come.’
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