Gareth Southgate pays surprise visit to Carney Chukwuemeka at training as England close in on him

ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate has stepped up plans to win over Nigeria-eligible midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka by visiting the youngster at Chelsea's training ground today while also observing other players there.

Chukwuemeka, 18, who recently signed for Chelsea after his heroics in the recent European U19 Championship, is considered one of the hottest young prospects in the English Premier League. Named in the U19 Euro Team of the Tournament, he just joined Chelsea from Aston Villa, who had queries from him 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 father and Austria through birth, as well as England. With all three nations certain to begin a tug-of-war for his services, Mr Southgate decided to steak a march on the others with a surprise visit to Chelsea's Cobham Training Centre yesterday.

While there, Southgate had the chance to meet the Blues' manager Thomas Tuchel as well as England players like Mason Mount, Ben Chilwell, Connor Gallagher and Reece James. Chukwuemeka arrived at Stamford Bridge last week from Aston Villa in a deal worth up to £20m.

Mr Southgate watched Chukwuemeka train ahead of the London derby against rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Last weekend, Mr Southgate also attended Chelsea's game against Everton at Goodison Park which Chelsea won 1-0 but did not get a chance to watch Chukwuemeka in action as he did not get to play.