Bristol City Make Decision On Trialist
Bristol City are unlikely to offer striker Caleb Chukwuemeka a contract following a trial fixture at Ashton Gate this afternoon, according to Bristol Live.
The 21-year-old is a free agent following his release from Premier League outfit Aston Villa in the summer and was seemingly offered an opportunity to get his career back on track with the offer of a trial with the Championship club.
The former Northampton Town youngster moved to Crawley Town last summer on a season-long loan deal, which included an obligation to buy. However, his time at the Broadfield Stadium was a disappointment and he was unable to secure a permanent transfer after making just 10 League Two appearances for the Red Devils, with no goals.
Breaking onto the scene at the Cobblers in 2020, big things were expected from the attacker and he secured a move to Villa Park the following year. He made his debut for the West Midlands club shortly after as a substitute in the 6-0 win over Barrow in the Carabao Cup and spent a short period on loan in Scotland with Livingston prior to his move to Crawley.
According to Bristol Live, Chukwuemeka started Bristol City under-21’s development fixture against Ipswich Town this afternoon but was substituted at half time after failing to make an impact. It is claimed that he was touted as a player with the potential to represent the Robins’ young squad this season, but it is unlikely that he will now be offered a contract.
Caleb is the older brother of Chelsea youngster Carney Chukwuemeka, who headed to Stamford Bridge for a fee of £20 million from Aston Villa last summer. He made 14 Premier League appearances for the Blues last season and scored his first goal for the club in the 3-1 defeat against West Ham United in August. However, he suffered a knee injury in the same fixture that is expected to keep him out until October.
Writer’s View
The careers of the two Chukwuemeka brothers have taken two completely different paths. Whilst Carney was securing his big-money move, Caleb dropped into League Two in the hope of landing a permanent transfer of his own. However, he failed to make the grade and now finds himself without a club.
The lure of Bristol City would’ve been a good one, even if the opportunity was to represent the under-21 team. It now appears that he will have to explore other options and he may have to drop into non-league in order to rebuild his career.
