Opinion: Newcastle target Carney Chukwuemeka is making a mistake joining Chelsea

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It looks like Newcastle United target Carney Chukwuemeka will be joining Chelsea.

The teenage midfielder has been linked with a move away from Aston Villa due to a contract standoff, and the Magpies were reportedly interested in signing him.

Huge clubs were interested in the 18-year-old, and Newcastle were in the mix for his signature.

It was claimed that a fee of £20million would take him away from Villa. However, Steven Gerrard’s side were far from keen for him to join the Magpies, or any English team. They reportedly wanted him to head abroad.

Alas, that is not happening. Instead, he’s off to the capital.

Carney Chukwuemeka is joining Chelsea

News broke on Tuesday evening that the Villa academy product is on his way to Chelsea. The Blues confirmed that they have reached an agreement to sign the youngster and that he will now have a medical.

Fabrizio Romano has stated that Chelsea will pay £15million for Chukwuemeka, plus another £5million in add-ons. The transfer expert adds that he will sign a six-year deal at Stamford Bridge.

It’s a huge coup for Chelsea. Despite his tender age, Chukwuemeka has already played a fair bit of Premier League football. He’s a huge talent, and has been tipped to become an ‘absolute star‘.

But that will have to happen with Chelsea, not Aston Villa. And it certainly isn’t happening at Newcastle.

Signing for Chelsea could be a mistake

While joining a club like Chelsea is a huge deal, it’s difficult not think Chukwuemeka is making a mistake. It’s not like they’ve got a rich history of giving youngsters a chance.

So many talented players have come through the ranks at Chelsea, only to be sold off without being given an opportunity. There’s a fear that the same thing could happen to Chukwuemeka.

For his sake, he hopefully gets the minutes he needs in London. However, he surely would have had a better chance of becoming a first-team regular sooner at Newcastle.

Whether or not the Magpies were willing to pay £20million for him this season is unknown, but it is disappointing to miss out on such a talented youngster.

However, he will no doubt become available again in a few years when he fails to get the minutes he craves in a blue shirt.