This was the first winning season for Samuel Chukwueze as the highly-rated winger played a big role for Villarreal to win their first major trophy in Europe – the UEFA Europa League.
‘Samu’ was the most outstanding Nigeria star in the Europa League after totaling 4434 points to finish in the Top 20 of the entire competition.
Villarreal upset favourites Manchester United 11-10 on penalties in the Final after scores stood at 1-1 in Gdansk.
This achievement means that Villarreal will feature in the group stage of the more prestigious UEFA Champions League in the coming season.
Injury in the semifinal return leg against another Premier League club, Arsenal, ruled out Chukwueze from the Final.
But even before then the winger had to play with pain and eventually had to undergo a groin surgery in Germany.
He will go under the knife for a second time for a left leg injury from the Europa League clash against Arsenal.
This past season the 22-year-old forward netted three goals in La Liga, same tally he achieved the previous season.
In his breakthrough season in Spain, ‘Samu’ grabbed five goals in La Liga.
Coach Unai Emery has demanded goals and consistency from the Super Eagles star.
“He’s a very young player who has to find consistency,” he tasked.
“We need to take steps forward with him and be demanding.
“He’s footballer with great quality. He has a lot of talent, but he needs to improve in front of goal.”
If there were any doubts about his talent, he was easily the Man of the Match against eventual champions Atletico Madrid.
He was the most dangerous player on the pitch with the most key passes (4), most completed dribbles(4) and he was also the most fouled player (5).
Javier Mata of AS newspaper praised Chukwueze after the display against Atletico.
“After his problems and surgery, the best if Chukwueze in a long time was seen against Atletico,” the journalist reported.
“From his arrival at Villarreal, it was clear he was a special player.
“His speed and the ease he went past his marker made him grow very fast in the team.
“The team had found a special player, a great footballer.”
Villarreal increased his buy-out clause from 65 Million Euros to 100 Million Euros and they also made him one of the highest earners in the team.
However, speculations over his future have persisted as he has continued to be linked with a transfer to some of Europe’s top clubs.
