In a significant transfer coup, Chelsea Football Club has reportedly reached an agreement worth £23.5 million to secure the services of Rennes‘ talented wonderkid, Lesley Ugochukwu.
The 19-year-old midfielder has been turning heads with his impressive performances for his hometown club in Ligue 1, attracting a host of suitors. However, the London club has emerged victorious in the race for his signature.
According to reliable sources at The Athletic, the highly-rated Ugochukwu is expected to undergo a medical examination before finalizing a long-term contract with the Blues. Personal terms have already been settled between the player and the club, indicating a high level of interest from Chelsea’s end.
Mauricio Pochettino’s team has undergone significant changes in their midfield lineup during the summer transfer window. With departures of key players like Mason Mount to Manchester United and Mateo Kovacic to Manchester City, and N’Golo Kante’s move to the Saudi Pro League, the midfield has witnessed a major overhaul.
Presently, Conor Gallagher and Enzo Fernandez stand as the only senior midfielders, creating an opportunity for Ugochukwu to make his mark.
The dynamic Nigerian-born midfielder’s rise to prominence has been swift, and he has already accumulated 60 first-team appearances for Rennes, following in the footsteps of the club’s previous teenage sensation Eduardo Camavinga.
Ugochukwu’s tall and powerful 6ft 3in frame has drawn comparisons to legendary figures like Patrick Vieira, whom he greatly admires.
In an interview with The Athletic, Ugochukwu revealed his inspiration from French Premier League icons, especially Paul Pogba and Patrick Vieira. He recalled watching their skills on YouTube during his younger days, and his academy coach even nicknamed him ‘Vieira’ due to the similarities in their playing styles.
The young midfielder aspires to leave a lasting impact on the game, much like Vieira did during his illustrious career at Arsenal.
As for his immediate future at Chelsea, it remains uncertain whether Ugochukwu will be integrated into the first-team squad right away.
If the club decides on a loan spell to aid his development, they could potentially send him to their sister club Strasbourg, which recently came under the ownership of Todd Boehly’s BlueCo consortium.