When Carney Chukwuemeka was introduced from the bench in Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Leicester City at Stamford Bridge, the scores were tied at 2-2 with 12 minutes left on the clock.

By the final whistle, the midfielder had his name on the scoresheet with a decisive contribution, Chelsea had won 4-2 and the Blues were on our way to Wembley.

It was certainly a moment to savour for Chukwuemeka, as he netted a brilliant goal – his first at the Bridge – by finishing calmly under the keeper, following a slick back-heeled one-two with Cole Palmer.

‘Even in training, we are always finding each other and linking well,’ said our No17, reflecting on his goal. ‘So as soon as I played it to Cole, I knew I was getting it back.

‘He even told me before the game that when I came on, he would assist me. So we have that combination together and hopefully we can build on it.

‘It was an amazing feeling, honestly. I didn’t know what to do after I scored, how to celebrate. But I’ve got great team-mates who pushed me toward the fans.’

Of course, the most important thing is our progress to the semi-finals, where we will face Manchester City at Wembley.

It is a prospect which has Chukwuemeka excited, especially having missed out on the chance to walk out at the national stadium in a Chelsea shirt for the first time earlier this season.

‘We went into this season wanting to win trophies and play in finals,’ Carney continued. ‘So it’s a massive opportunity for us as a young squad. Another opportunity to play at Wembley, and hopefully we get to the final.

‘It’s amazing for me. I missed the Carabao Cup final due to injury so to get the chance to play at Wembley is the stuff of dreams for me. It’s something I dreamt about as a kid as I’m a Chelsea fan, so I can’t wait.’

Being unavailable for the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool is just one example of the frustrations the 20-year-old has endured due to injury this season, after promising performances in his two starts early in the campaign.

The second of those saw Chukwuemeka score his first Chelsea goal, getting our equaliser away at West Ham United in the Premier League, before being forced off with an injury later in the match.

He wouldn’t return to the pitch for nearly five months, and then suffered another, thankfully shorter, period on the sidelines, before coming off the bench in our last two matches.

‘I’m still trying to establish myself in the team, so any opportunity I get is important for me. To show what I can do, to express myself, show confidence, and make the difference.

‘I never lost faith and belief in myself. The West Ham goal gave me confidence and even when I got injured, I thought it was a bump in the road, a trial that I need to overcome and build a stronger mindset from.

‘I know what I can do and, God willing, hopefully I can keep showing everyone what I can do.’

That is something he is hoping to achieve with the continued backing of the Chelsea supporters, home, away and at Wembley, as Chukwuemeka looks to make up for lost time in the remainder of the season.

‘Stick with us through the highs and lows,’ he added, in a message to the fans. ‘We are on the rise but it isn’t going to be that easy. So keep supporting us through it all and give us that 12th man when we’re on the pitch.’