Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard has revealed that there has been no progress made in contract talks with Carney Chukwuemeka.
After impressing at youth level, the 18-year-old broke into the senior side last season with Dean Smith handing him his debut for the Villa first-team against Tottenham.
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Chukwuemeka has gone on to feature in nine Premier League games so far this season, but given the fierce competition for places at the club, it hasn’t been easy for him to solidify his position in the starting XI, or even as a substitute.
Given the potential he has and the quality he possess, there is no doubt that ideally, Villa want to keep him at the club and see him sign a new long-term deal.
With his current contract having 15 months remaining on it, there is no immediate need to agree new terms, but ultimately the longer the situation drags on, the more likely it becomes that Chukwuemeka will move on.
Gerrard has suggested that the situation hasn’t changed in the last few months, which in turn will raise further concern over where Chukwuemeka’s future lies.
“As far as I know they have not progressed. We have done everything we can from our side to try and make them progress. I am not sure where that is up to at the moment,” the Villa boss said, as per The Express and Star.
With the success of the system switch in the last three games and with the likes of Emiliano Buendia, Morgan Sanson and others fighting for places too, it’s difficult to see Chukwuemeka’s situation changing a great deal between now and the end of the season.
While there is no doubt that he is a real talent and could have a bright future ahead of him, signing a new deal would be the best possible outcome. However, if it’s purely about playing time for him, then that is something that Villa can’t guarantee at this stage and so the two parties may have a difficult decision to make this summer which involves Chukwuemeka moving on before he becomes a free agent.