Who is Lesley Ugochukwu? Many Chelsea fans have been asking after the Blues reached an agreement with Rennes.
Chelsea – according to Sky Sports – have shook hands with the Ligue 1 side over a £21.3m deal to bring the Frenchman to Stamford Bridge.
So, who is Lesley Ugochukwu as Chelsea agree a deal with Rennes? Let’s take a look…
Who is Lesley Ugochukwu?
Well, the Rennes No.6 is just 19 years of age, but is already a valued member of the French side’s first-team.
Ugochukwu has amassed 60 senior appearances for Rennes so far – with seven of those coming in the UEFA Europa League and three in the UEFA Conference League.
The teenager has also won six caps for the France Under-19 side in his short career, scoring two goals in those outings.
Ugochukwu – who can operate as a defensive midfielder and also a bit further forward in a flat central midfield role – made his debut for Rennes on Sunday 25th April 2021 at the age of just 17 years and 30 days, replacing Steven Nzonzi in a 5–1 win against Dijon.
The Chelsea new boy is also the nephew of Onyekachi Apam – who used to play for Nigeria and Rennes – and is of Nigerian descent.
Ugochukwu – according to Fabrizio Romano – has already passed his medical with Chelsea, and an official announcement is expected to follow from the Blues, who could immediately loan him to Todd Boehly’s Strasbourg.
In our view, it would make sense to keep the French wonderkid at Stamford Bridge next season, given the fact Mauricio Pochettino has already lost Mason Mount, N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek from his midfield department.
Lesley Ugochukwu profile
Full name: Lesley Chimuanya Ugochukwu
Age: 19
Height: 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Place of birth: Rennes
Date of birth: 26th March 2004
Nationality: France
Club: Rennes (soon to be Chelsea)
Position: Midfielder
Wages: £2,000-a-week