Samuel Chukwueze played for 89 minutes at the Estadio de la Ceramica on Sunday as Villarreal recorded a 2-0 La Liga win over Valencia.
Since the league resumption with victories over Celta Vigo, Mallorca, and Granada, Javier Calleja ‘s men have been in excellent form, followed by a 2-2 draw against Seville in their most recent encounter.
This is indeed better than the period before the league suspension, where they lost to Atletico Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, and Leganes on the bounce.
On Sunday in the 14th minute, Chukwueze created the opening goal for Villarreal, passing over to Gerard Moreno, who in turn gave it to former Barcelona striker Paco Alcacer to finish coolly. The second goal of the Yellow Submarines came with the assistance of Valencia goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, whose long kick was intercepted by former Arsenal man Santi Cazorla, who played it in Moreno ‘s path to do the rest.
Chukwuweze was taken off in the 89th minute and he was replaced by Javier Ontiveros.
The 21-year-old international Nigeria created 70 touches, two main passes, and 52 accurate passes at an outstanding 94% success rate, the highest among the Villarreal starters, followed by Cameroon ‘s international Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa with 93.9%.
Chukwueze has also won three of four long balls, three of four dribbles, and six of eight overall duels as well.
The 21-year-old has now played 1,734 minutes of football from this season’s 31 games in La Liga, 16 of which were starts while 15 came off the bench.
Chukwueze has also won three of four long balls, three of four dribbles, and six of eight overall duels as well.
The 21-year-old has now played 1,734 minutes of football from this season’s 31 games in La Liga, 16 of which were starts while 15 came off the bench.
He scored three goals and provided four assists, the latest of which came in the 1-0 win over Mallorca when he helped goal, Carlos Bacca.
However, Chukwueze’s last goal dates back to November 24, 2019, in a 3-1 defeat at home against Ghana’s Celta Vigo defender Joseph Aidoo.
The victory on Sunday brings Villarreal within three points of fourth-placed Seville, keeping their dreams of next season’s Champions League football very alive.
Nonetheless, they should be careful of Getafe who are two points behind them and could beat them to fifth if they get the best of another promising Champions League on Monday night at Real Sociedad.
