The 18-year-old, who is regarded as one of the top young midfield prospects in European football, signed a six-year deal at Stamford Bridge as the highest-paid teen in England. He leaves Premier League rivals Aston Villa for an initial fee of £15 million, which could increase to £20 million with add-ons.
There is a lot of enthusiasm about a contract that was announced this week seemingly out of the blue. Chukwuemeka is expected to have a bright career in the sport after leading the England Under-19s to victory at the European Championship in Slovakia earlier this summer.
His signing is part of Chelsea's renewed emphasis on developing young players. In recent weeks, the club has also acquired players like former Arsenal midfielder Omari Hutchinson and Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina, and it is mulling a move for Inter Milan prodigy Cesare Casadei.
However, chairman and co-owner Todd Boehly appears to have hinted that Chukwuemeka is a first-team signing to follow Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly who won't embark on a swift loan exit in order to gain more experience. It is still unclear whether Thomas Tuchel views Chukwuemeka as a player who can make an impact right away or rather more of a talent for the future.
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