By Sulaiman Alao
Super Eagles winger, Samuel Chukwueze will be gunning for his 80th LaLiga appearance for Villarreal when they face Celta Vigo tonight at the Estadio de Balaídos.
Chukwueze who became the youngest player at 21 years to play 100 games in all competitions for the Yellow Submarine after starring and bagging an assist in the 4-1 defeat of Zamora in Tuesday’s Copa Del Rey tie will also be targeting his second LaLiga goal of the season and 10th overall since he scored his first in the competition in the 2-2 draw at Rayo Vallecano in November 2018.
He has recorded nine goals and 10 assists in the LaLiga; three goals and two assists in the Copa del Rey and two goals and two assists in the UEFA Europa League totaling 14 goals and 14 assists in all competitions for the Yellow Submarine to date.
Chukwueze will also be seeking his second win and second goal against their host in five appearances. The Nigerian has won once and lost thrice in four meetings, starting three of such meetings. He scored his only goal against Celta Vigo on his third attempt, drawing Villareal level with his left-footed effort on 59 minutes before the visit to the Estadio La Cerámica scored twice in the final 11 minutes to win the tie 3-1 in November 2019.
The former Golden Eaglets star has started six of 16 games for Villareal in the league so far this term and will be seeking to start his first LaLiga game since November 29 at the Estadio Reale Arena where he featured for the first 45 minutes in the 1-1 tie against Real Sociedad. He has scored just once this term and provided three assists.
Chukwueze made his LaLiga debut in November 2018, playing for the entire duration of the game in the 1-1 draw against Levante before scoring in his next two games.