Chelsea's Carney Chukwuemeka refuses to rule out playing for Nigeria in the future

CHELSEA'S teenage midfielder of Nigerian extraction Carney Chukwuemeka has revealed that he may still play for the Super Eagles as he is yet to take a final decision on his senior international future.

Chukwuemeka, 19, signed for Chelsea last year after his heroics in the European U19 Championship and is considered one of the hottest young prospects in the English Premier League. Named in the U19 Euro Team of the Tournament, he joined Chelsea from Aston Villa, after attracting attention from the likes of Barcelona, Juventus, Bayern Munich and Arsenal, among others.

Eligible to play for three different countries, Chukwuemeka can represent Nigeria through his parents and Austria through birth, as well as England. With all three nations keen on securing his services, England manager Gareth Southgate decided to steal a march on the others with a surprise visit to Chelsea's Cobham Training Centre last season.

Mr Southgate's visit appeared to have sealed the matter but Chukwuemeka revealed that he is yet to rule out playing for Nigeria. Chukwuemeka, who had earlier in his career likened himself to Paul Pogba, arrived at the Chelsea for £18m last summer, as one of the best promising teenagers in World football.

Since then, however, he has struggled to keep a regular place in their squad as the club ended a disappointing league campaign in 12th place. However, he has played in all of Chelsea’s pre-season games this summer as he is working to regain his best form and a regular place under new boss Mauricio Pochettino.

Chukwuemeka said: "I haven’t really thought about it. I am focused on England, who I have played for at youth level. We will see what the future holds."

Should the former Northampton Town academy product decides to switch allegiance to Nigeria, his football intelligence and physical attributes will be valuable to the Super Eagles squad. However, he will need to go through a switch with Fifa before being eligible to represent Nigeria because he has already played for the England youth.