Former Barcelona winger Andrea Orlandi has explained how Samuel Chukwueze caused problems for Real Sociedad after the Nigeria international came off the bench at half-time to replace young striker Fer Niño in Villarreal's 2-1 loss at the Estadio de la Cerámica on Monday evening.

Goals from Willian José and Llorente in the 61st and 75th minute respectively put the Basque outfit 2-0 up, before santi
Cazorla halved the deficit, firing a bullet shot past goalkeeper Moya after a fine pass from Chukwueze.

With strikers Gerard Moreno (suspension) and Carlos Bacca (injury) not available for selection and Paco Alcácer a non-playing sub due to muscular pain, coach of the Yellow Submarine Javi Calleja was forced to deploy Chuwkueze as a striker for the second half.

"Cazorla is a very intelligent footballer, he knows he doesn't have the legs he used to have so he uses his brain even more, it is as useful as it was, fantastic player," Orlandi said on La Liga TV.

"It all comes from Samuel Chukwueze playing on the right, he came on for Fer Niño, disappointing performance from the youngster.

"Chukwueze was playing as a striker in the first 35 minutes of the second half, he couldn't find the spaces, he needs spaces to run, he needs to play on the wing.

"He played there in the last fifteen minutes and he caused problems for Real Sociedad but it was a little bit too late for Villarreal."

Including his assist against Real Sociedad, Chukwueze has had a direct hand in 10 goals (4 goals, 6 assists) from 39 appearances in all competitions this season.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel