Chukwuemeka becoming Dortmund game changer | OneFootball

Carney Chukwuemeka is becoming a game changer at Borussia Dortmund

Having struggled for fitness upon his arrival at Signal Iduna Park from Chelsea, Carney Chukwuemeka has found his feet in recent weeks, with his performances seeming to improve week by week. He opened his account for the Black Yellows against Freiburg on Matchday 28, and played a part in all three of his side's goals against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Sunday.

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Dortmund added Chukwuemeka to their ranks on deadline day of the winter transfer window, giving him little time to settle into the club before the end of the season. Chukwuemeka also joined at a difficult time, with the side sat in 11th despite three wins from the previous five games before his arrival.

But now, the young midfielder is beginning to make his mark, consistently impressing whenever he's been given the chance in this second half of the season. In the clash with fellow European hopefuls Gladbach on Sunday, he replaced the injured Maximilian Beier in the first half and turned the game on its head.

Chukwuemeka's contributions led the team to their 900th Bundesliga victory, becoming only the second club after Bayern Munich to reach that number.

"When Carney came on, things turned around," said Dortmund boss Niko Kovač, pleased with the positive impact his substitution had. Clever ball recoveries by the youngster were the genesis of goals one and two, while the third was the result of a twisting dribble by Chukwuemeka followed by a perfect cross, which again led to an assist.

"It's about where the weak points are. The important thing was that we won the ball," Kovač explained – and Chukwuemeka hit the mark on both factors. Just like Matchday 28 against Freiburg, the Englishman was one of Dortmund's most important players both, offensively and defensively, with his great dribbling and strength in transitions shining bright in an important clash in the fight for European football.

"Carney was the game changer for us," praised Kovač. "He's fantastic on the ball, turns quickly, and attacks the last line. He's getting better with every game."

Dortmund are now only two points behind sixth-placed Mainz, three behind Freiburg and four points behind RB Leipzig in the coveted UEFA Champions League spot, with the same goal difference.

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