Nigerian-born former Chelsea and Aston Villa of England attacker, Carney Chukwuemeka has commenced the process of switching his national team allegiance in order to play for Austria at this year’s FIFA World Cup.
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Sports247 reports that, though, Chukwuemeka has featured in the past for England’s youth national teams, he is currently out of favour for The Three Lions at senior level, thereby leaving him open to a switch.
With various options still available to him, including Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Chukwuemeka has opted instead for a senior future with Austria, starting with the 2026 Mundial set to be co-hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico.
A report by UK’s Daily Mail reveals, “Chukwuemeka, 22, joined Borussia Dortmund for £24m last summer after three years at Stamford Bridge, where he struggled to earn a regular first team spot amid a battle for fitness and form.
“The Blues had signed the attacking midfielder from Aston Villa for £20m when he was just 18, with Chukwuemeka one of the most highly rated talents in the country at the time.
“That move came shortly after he starred when England won the U19 European Championship in 2022 – and he later went on to represent England U20s. He was also called to the U21 team in 2024, but failed to feature due to injury.”
British newspaper, The Athletic adds that the 22-year-old Chukwuemeka, who scored two goals in 32 games for Chelsea, was born in the Austrian city of Eisenstadt in 2003 to Nigerian parents, but he is also eligible to play for France.
He lived in Austria during his early life before his family moved to Northampton, where he later spent time in the League One club’s academy until he joined Aston Villa at the age of 12.
Ironically, when he moved to England, Chukwuemeka renounced his Austrian citizenship, but the East European country’s football association is now working on how he can switch his allegiance ahead of the World Cup.
