Kovac hopes injury-plagued Chelsea loanee can play bigger role

Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac is keen to give Carney Chukwuemeka more minutes, but wants to avoid another injury setback for the Chelsea loanee.

Carney Chukwuemeka has struggled with injuries since joining Borussia Dortmund on loan from Chelsea in the winter transfer window.

Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac is clearly a big fan of the 21-year-old’s qualities, but is cautious not to give him more minutes than his body can handle at the moment.

“Carney has had muscular problems from time to time,” said Kovac at a press conference on Friday. 

“His dynamism, technique and directness give us a different dimension.

“But we also know that he comes from London, where he hasn’t played much. As a result, he’s not in a condition to play 90 minutes.”

The BVB coach hopes that the central midfielder can gradually get to play a bigger role towards the end of the season.

“We have to build him up step by step, which means 10, 15, 20 minutes, maybe even half an hour. That’s what’s possible at the moment,” he said, adding:

“But I would like him to be able to play for longer periods at the end of the season.”