Chukwuemeka earns high praise after first start – Dortmund keen to keep him | OneFootball

Having initially struggled with injuries following his winter loan move from Chelsea, Carney Chukwuemeka finally made his first start for Borussia Dortmund in Saturday's 4-1 win over Freiburg.

And the 21-year-old repaid the faith shown in him with an impressive performance and his first goal for the German club.

The English midfielder was subsequently praised by BVB bosses Niko Kovac and Sebastian Kehl, as well as a number of his teammates.

"We have seen what he can do with the ball in the last few weeks and we saw some of it today too. It was a lucky goal, a deflection, but you have to work for it. That's what he did," said Kovac.

Speaking to Bild, sporting director Sebastian Kehl called him a "difference maker", while goalkeeper Gregor Kobel described him as "brutally strong".

According to Bild, Dortmund are keen to keep him at the club, but it will be a challenge to activate the €35 million purchase option.

Dortmund would have no chance of signing him on a permanent basis if they fail to qualify for Europe, according to the report.

If they qualify for the Europa League, a permanent deal could be possible, but probably only if they sell another player for a significant fee.

Should Dortmund qualify for the Champions League, there should be nothing standing in the way of a permanent deal for Chukwuemeka.