Young midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka believes Chelsea must aim to challenge for the Premier League title this season and believes the addition of Moises Caicedo only amplifies our chances of doing so.
The England youth international has had to bide his time for a real chance in Chelsea blue since arriving in summer 2022, but he has now been given the opportunity to show what he can do in Mauricio Pochettino’s first season in charge.
Carney featured prominently in America in pre-season and started last week’s opening day draw with Liverpool. When speaking ahead of this afternoon’s all-London match with West Ham, the midfielder heaped praise on his new head coach.
‘The vibes within the squad now are unimaginable,’ said Carney.
‘You can’t name one person that doesn’t fit in with everyone. Everyone is together, we bounce off each other on and off the pitch. That helps because building a relationship with each other off the pitch is only going to make us closer and better and help build more chemistry on the pitch.
‘It’s definitely good what the gaffer has come in and done. Long may it continue.’
Chukwuemeka claims one-to-one chats with the Argentinean have boosted his confidence heading into this campaign.
‘He immediately had a few conversations with me. Last season I didn’t get much of a chance, but I’ve started the pre-season games, started against Liverpool.
‘He’s given me positive criticism which I need as well. He’s showed me what I’ve done well, what I can improve on. He knows when to be tough and when to put an arm around me,’ Carney said.
‘We have to be challenging for the league, we’ve got a good enough group. We have got a young group together, full of energy and talent. It has to be the aim and it is.’
For Carney, his impact can come to fruition behind the frontline. He started centrally against Liverpool, but believes his best position can actually be off the left.
‘Left eight, with a one and a two in front. I can receive the ball deep, I can drive with it, connect with the forward players, and also link up in and around the box. Driving past players is a big aspect of my game.’
Enzo and new recruit Moises Caicedo could be the two sitting behind him at the London Stadium today. He had nothing but positive comments to say on the duo.
‘It’s so easy to play with him [Enzo]. You know you can give him the ball and expect it back, or even create something or keep the ball moving. He’s a joy to play with. Playing with him gives me more confidence in myself, that he trusts me with the ball.’
He echoed that praise for the Ecuadorian.
‘Moises can bring strength and power out of possession. Technically he is amazing on the ball. He can bring a lot of control to our midfield. He can help in and out of possession, box to box, full of energy, so it’s a top signing for us.’
