Chelsea loanee Lesley Ugochukwu made his Southampton debut on Wednesday night in a remarkable Carabao Cup match.
Chelsea midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu, who’s just 20, spent the whole of pre-season this summer with Enzo Maresca’s squad. However, the Blues decided it was best for the French youngster to develop out on loan this season.
Premier League side Southampton completed the signing of Ugochukwu on a season-long loan earlier this month. Finally, he made his Saints debut yesterday in a League Cup tie.
Southampton secured a dramatic 5-3 away win at Championship club Cardiff City in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
It’s interesting that The Athletic previously reported that Chelsea believe Southampton is the perfect team for Ugochukwu to develop at. Let’s wait and see if that’s the case as the season unfolds.
Southampton fans react to Lesley Ugochukwu debut
Ugochukwu was named in the Saints starting line-up for Wednesday’s cup victory against Cardiff, and he played just over an hour in the centre of the park before coming off.
It’s pretty clear that the Chelsea loanee has made a fast start at his new club with an eye-catching performance in midfield.
Here are some Southampton fans praising Ugochukwu’s debut for them…
One fan said: “I promise you now – Lesley Ugochukwu will be starting week in week out for this football club very soon – perhaps after the international break. His strength, composure and ability to retain and repossess the ball is going to be massive for us if we want to stay up.”
Another wrote: “Fernandes, Archer, Dibling & Ugochukwu all phenomenal. All seriously talented and have made a case to start in the Premier League. Immense credit has to go to the scouts and board for bringing these gems in. Real quality signings.”
A third user posted: “I know it’s only Cardiff, but Ugochukwu looks excellent.”
One supporter claimed: “Ugochukwu looks a great loan signing. Big, strong and plenty of movement
Another shared: “Ugochukwu’s spatial awareness defensively and calmness on the ball is pure class.”
Lesley Ugochukwu in for a big season
We’re confident that it won’t be long before Ugochukwu breaks into Russell Martin’s best starting line-up at Southampton.
The aggressive central midfielder is a real physical specimen on the pitch, plus he’s got great technical qualities with the ball at his feet. If he gets a full season playing regularly at St Mary’s, he could definitely return to Chelsea next summer and push for a spot in the team.
FotMob data has provided the match statistics from Uguochukwu’s impressive Southampton debut in midweek:
- Match rating – 7.4
- Minutes played – 64
- Touches – 69
- Accurate passes – 55/59 (93%)
- Passes into final third – 6
- Tackles won – 3/4 (75%)
- Recoveries – 8
- Total shots – 1
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