Lesley Ugochukwu will be hoping for a better run in the 2024/25 season after his Chelsea debut was marred by injuries. The midfielder, who followed in the footsteps of stars like Ousmane Dembele and Eduardo Camavinga when he emerged through the Rennes academy and into the first team, made a high-profile move from Roazhon Park last August.
The youngster joined Chelsea for a hefty $29m (£23m/€27m) and signed a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge. However, with players such as Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo , Conor Gallagher and Romeo Lavia ahead in the midfield hierarchy, it was always going to be a challenge for him to secure regular playing time.
Caicedo and Lavia had struggles of their own, after Liverpool had pursued both last summer — the Reds will feel they dodged something of a bullet , with Wataru Endo surpassing expectations on a far smaller budget. Even so, Ugochukwu managed only 15 appearances for the Blues in all competitions, although it wasn't just competition that limited his opportunities.
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Injuries played a significant role in disrupting his season, with a hamstring problem keeping him out of action from December to early May. The 20 year old did manage to make a comeback to the Chelsea squad for the last three games of the season, making appearances in the final two matches against Brighton and Hove Albion and Bournemouth.
After a season marred by injuries, Frenchman Ugochukwu is hoping for better luck as he aims to make his mark in English football. With stiff competition for a spot in Chelsea's starting eleven, a loan move could be on the horizon for Ugochukwu this summer, reports Football London .
French publication Foot Mercato reports that Chelsea is considering loaning out the promising midfielder next season, with several clubs showing interest. Among them is Everton, one of three Premier League teams keen on securing a loan deal for Ugochukwu, along with a Ligue 1 side.
A temporary move to Goodison Park could prove beneficial for all involved, particularly as Sean Dyche's team looks to bolster its midfield following Amadou Onana's impending departure. Aston Villa is reportedly in advanced talks to sign the Belgian international, previously linked with Arsenal, for a fee of around $64m (£50m/€58m).
Everton has already strengthened its midfield this summer with the acquisition of Tim Iroegbunam from Villa, but the potential departure of Onana could necessitate further additions to their squad. After suffering two separate points deductions last season due to financial irregularities, Everton is now making shrewd moves in the transfer market, and bringing Ugochukwu on loan would certainly be a smart move.
Indeed, the Rennes academy graduate could fill Onana's spot in the Everton squad, as he is adept at playing both as a holding midfielder and a central midfielder. Ugochukwu's height and strength would also appeal to Dyche, potentially leading to numerous first-team appearances and a mutually beneficial loan spell.
Whether the France Under-21 international ends up at Goodison Park or elsewhere remains to be seen. This will become clear in the coming weeks as Enzo Maresca and Chelsea finalize their plans for the upcoming season.
After a challenging first year in west London, the 2024/25 season could be when Ugochukwu proves why Chelsea were so keen to bring him to the club in the first place. But with a first-team place still looking so distant, that seven-year contract is looking more and more risky.
Liverpool.com says: Chelsea might have found an accounting "trick" with these long contracts, a loophole now closed by limiting amortization to five years. But while each individual deal is less of a chunk out of the books each year, Ugochukwu is one of many players whom the Blues will need to continue to account for over the next five to six years, meaning they effectively start each summer already in the red from an "FFP" persepctive.
The gamble relied on the initial spree of recruitment being successful. Liverpool will feel especially relieved about Lavia, given his injury woes, but Caicedo struggled to settle too, and Chelsea could only manage a Conference League spot. The success of a far more modest transfer policy at Anfield puts the London club to shame.
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