Thomas Tuchel is the manager of the England national football team at the present. He has referred to the fact that players with โexceptional quality and character will always stand a chance of being included.โ
Carney Chukwuemeweka is a young talent with all these attributes. At age 22, Carney is now playing for Borussia Dortmund. He was previously at Chelsea. So far, he has not had an opportunity to wear the England senior jersey. He is eligible to play for several nations including England (by virtue of youth caps) and Austria (birth) and Nigeria (heritage).
Carney Chukwuemeweka
Carney Chukwuemeka was born in Austria and brought up in England. He progressed through the Aston Villa academy system after joining the club from Northampton Town.
He made his first-team debut at 17 years old in May 2021 for Villa. He has impressed everyone with his dribbling and control in midfield.
In August 2022, he transferred from Aston Villa to Chelsea F.C. for around ยฃ20m on a six-year contract.
His struggles to find playtime at Chelsea led him to join Borussia Dortmund in January on loan. A permanent transfer was done in 2025. This will help him to get more minutes in the Bundesliga and improve.
Reasons for discussing Chukwuemeka
Chukwuemeka brightens things up. One report claimed: “Whenever he was on the pitch for Dortmund this season, they played very well”. He scored his first Bundesliga goal for the season and has proven to be quick on his feet with very good attacking awareness.
The European football reporter, Andy Brassell, is proposing that Tuchel ought to at the very least consider him as a wildcard for the approaching World Cup. The reasoning is that he is uncapped at senior level, he has high upside, and he would offer an alternative dimension. Born to Nigerian parents in Austria, he could also choose to play for Nigeria.
Why this matters for England
Building the England side towards the FIFA World Cup 2026 is what Tuchel has on his mind. He always believes in competition for every position in the squad. Besides, Thomas doesn’t hesitate to put in those who are deserving by performance and character.
So, bringing in a player like Chukwuemeka will also give a message. England is willing to give new talent a chance, not just the established names.
The stumbling blocks
Chukwuemeka has pulled out some skills already, but questions still loom:
He has had injury setbacks and limited game time at various points.
Most importantly, breaking into the senior national side is hardly an easy feat with lots of strong midfielders and attacking players lining up for England.
His predicament is that he must choose (or might have to choose) a national team should it come to that. He has all rights to play with Austria due to his birth right, plus with Nigerian heritage. If Austria pockets him then England loses that chance.
Why now works
This is the juncture for Tuchel when the national ensemble is changing. Already, England under Tuchel have qualified early for the World Cup: they are more looking ahead to conquest and to making a deep run into the tournament.
Chukwuemeweka could serve England into the future from the time when he was still young.
What lies before Tuchel
To Tuchel, this is a high-risk-high-reward occasion. Carney’s selection means putting trust in potential in an equally young and uncapped player. Conversely, it also means moderation in unity, egos within the squad, and players being rewarded without upsetting the apple cart. But he has been vocal enough about backing players who show character and performance.
Author Insight
Carney Chukwuemeka is a serious prospect for England under Thomas Tuchel. He is eligible, talented and uncapped and could change dynamics. While there are practical obstacles (fitness, competition for places, national allegiance), the timing is right. Tuchel has signalled he is open to new talent. If Chukwuemeka stays fit and takes his chance, he could make an interesting addition.
The door is open. Tuchel has said it. Chukwuemeka might just walk through.
