By Anthony Nlebem.
Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze looks set to clinch the top scorer award in Copa del Rey following his goals scoring form for Yellow Submarine.
Chukwueze took his goals tally in the competition to three, coming off the bench in the 68th minute and registering his name on the score sheet after 17 minutes on the pitch in Villarreal’s 5-1 win at Cartagena on Tuesday night
The Nigerian is now just one goal off the top scorer’s spot jointly held by Kike García (Osasuna), Uros Milovanovic (Gijon), Munir El Haddadi (Getafe) and Oriol Soldevila( Intercity).
The victory sent Villarreal through to the Copa del Rey round of 16. The draw for the last 16 fixtures will be held on January 7.
Chukwueze also reignited his goal form in LaLiga and scored his first league goal of the season after eight months for the Yellow Submarines in their 2-1 win over Valencia at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
Chukwueze, who last scored a league goal for Villarreal in their 2-1 defeat to Alaves on April 30, 2022, is enjoying a new lease of life since the arrival of former Barcelona manager Quique Setien, who replaced Unai Emery in October.
The Nigerian forward netted his side’s equaliser in the 46th minute after he converted an assist from Gerard Moreno after Edinson Cavani had opened the scoring for Valencia.
The goal was his first of the current campaign in the LaLiga in 14 appearances.
His brilliant form has also attracted interest from top clubs with English Premier League giants, Liverpool, who are reportedly preparing to splash the cash on the Nigeria international.