Villarreal of Spain striker, Samuel Chukwueze has declared that he wants to get a New Year gift from Thursday’s La Lga match against Real Madrid, and says it can only come from victory for his side.
Sports247.ng reports that, with The Yellow Submarine set to host Los Blanco in the first La Liga game of 2019, Chukwueze is expectant and believes his team have what it takes to shock their high-profile visitors.
A preview of the match at Estadio de la Ceramica confirmed that there should be a spot in the starting eleven Chukwueze, as the 19-year-old, who has been linked with Arsenal, has scored six times in all competitions for his modest Spanish club this season.
The game was initially due to take place before the winter break in Spain, but Real Madrid’s involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup meant it had to be rescheduled before La Liga fully restarts at the weekend.
Three wins, six draws and seven defeats is the record for Chukwueze’s club in La Liga this season, with only 15 points, which has left them in 18th position in the table after 16 matches of the 2018-19 campaign.
It has been a desperately disappointing season for the Yellow Submarine, who were forced to sack Javier Calleja, the coach that gave Chukwueze his breakthrough in the team, and Luis Garcia took over at the helm.
Garcia has taken charge of two matches since stepping into the position – following a 2-0 win over Spartak Moscow in the Europa League with a 2-2 draw against Huesca in La Liga just before the international break.
Since returning to La Liga for the 2013-14 campaign, Villarreal have finished sixth, sixth, fourth, fifth and fifth.
Many fans would have fancied them to enjoy a similar position this term, but it looks like it could be a difficult second half of the season for a team which is full of talent.
Goals have been an issue this season, with just 17 in their 16 league fixtures.
Only five teams have managed fewer in Spain’s top flight this season, while only two sides – Athletic Bilbao and Huesca – have won fewer Liga ties, but Chukwueze still fancies their chances against Real on Thursday.
Chukwueze said: “They are a good side with lots of world-class players but big names don’t play football and hopefully we can surprise them and give our fans a perfect New Year present.”
