“I’m trying to be” – Chelsea loanee details the type of player he wants to be with recall a possibility | OneFootball

Lesley Ugochukwu has revealed he’s trying to become the type of player people can rely on as he enters the second half of his loan spell at Southampton.

The Blues signed Ugochukwu for £23.5m from French side Rennes in the summer of 2023, but he missed a lot of last season through injury.

The 20-year-old made 15 appearances in all competitions under Mauricio Pochettino with 12 of those coming in the Premier League.

Ugochukwu on the type of player he wants to be

Ugochukwu impressed for the Blues in pre-season and even found himself amongst the goals but the decision was taken to send him on loan to Southampton for the season.

In theory it seemed like a good move and the opportunity for Ugochukwu to get regular first team football, but that hasn’t been the case.

Ugochukwu is currently on loan at Southampton. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

The midfielder struggled for game time under then manager Russell Martin and started just two league games, but since Martin was sacked after the 5-0 loss to Tottenham and replaced by Ivan Juric, who is said to rate Ugochukwu he’s fared much better.

He’s featured in all four league games since and has started three of them, and given the injury issues with Romeo Lavia and a lack of depth in midfield there’s been rumours Chelsea could look to recall the Frenchman.

Ugochukwu’s fortunes certainly appear to be changing on the south coast, having deleted all photos to do with the club from his social media at one point, and he’s spoken about how he wants to become a player people can rely on.

“I’m trying to be the type of player that people can rely on,” he said as cited on X.com.

More Stories / Latest News

“I’m trying to be” – Chelsea loanee details the type of player he wants to be with recall a possibility

6th Jan 2025, 02:30pm

New meetings scheduled: Player gives green light to leave Chelsea and join new club

6th Jan 2025, 01:30pm

Clubs Interested: Chelsea have high hopes for future of player who doesn’t even play

6th Jan 2025, 12:45pm

“I think I can bring a lot to the team, with my height, my long legs and my aggressiveness. With the style of play we’re playing now, that’s what I’m trying to use to put the team as high as possible. I would say it’s a different style, it’s more direct.”

It will be interesting to see what Chelsea decide to do with Ugochukwu, but they have shown they aren’t afraid to recall players like they have done with Aaron Anselmino and Andrey Santos last January.