Chukwuemeka Aneke

A leggy and powerful box-to-box midfielder, Chuks Aneke is another hugely exciting Hale End graduate hailing from Forest Gate, East London.

The explosive, rangy powerhouse has been around Steve Gatting’s Under 16’s for a number of seasons but made significant inroads during the 2008-2009 campaign. Following Benik Afobe’s promotion to the Under 18’s, Aneke was handed the armband and led by example throughout the season. He chipped in with a handful of goals but his star displays in his defensive work earned him a surprise Under 18 call up in the dying embers of the term.

He appeared nervous during his debut, a start against Ipswich Town, but the early promise was there. He completed the season with a long range goal to his name with big things expected ahead of the 2009-2010 campaign. During pre-season he skippered the Under 16’s during the Atalanta Cup, a competition he won in 2008, but couldn’t repeat his previous successes.

Aneke is a giant, powerful and immensely strong midfielder. A superb tackler and a natural leader, the starlet also possess a lethal right foot. Whether the coaching staff opt to use his physical assets and transform Chuks into a defensive midfielder, or allow his creative talents to be let free in a more attacking role, remains to be seen.

Chuks was one of two players named by Arsène Wenger as ‘technically perfect’, and in July 2009 he signed scholarship forms.

Name: Chuks Aneke
Nickname: ‘Chuckie’
Age: 16
Nationality: English
International: Under 16’s
Position: Central Midfield
Height: 185cm
Previous Clubs: None
Contract: Scholarship