Steven Gerrard has provided an explanation for Carney Chukwuemeka’s unexpected move to Chelsea from Aston Villa.
In a protracted contract dispute with Villa, Chukwuemeka had refused to sign a new agreement. Chukwuemeka’s current contract was set to expire next summer, and it was rumoured that he was eager to leave in order to get more playing time.
Now that the Blues are close to finalising a £20 million deal with Villa, he has finally gotten his wish to leave the team. The decision was made on Tuesday night, and Chukwuemeka is scheduled to fly to London to finalise his personal arrangements and undergo his medical.
Before the team left the country earlier this summer, the Villa manager made his choice public. He emphasised that the main cause of Chukwuemeka’s exclusion is his ongoing refusal to agree to a new contract.
The 18-year-old was forced to train with the Under-23s squad after manager Gerrard left him in England while Villa travelled to Australia for their preseason tour.
“Carney is yet to sign a contract offer that has been in place for some time now. I’ve decided the best thing for him would be to continue his training programme back at Bodymoor,” Gerrard told Villa TV.
