Chelsea star signed for €27 million fee in 2023 set for loan move away from the club - Reports
As reported by Foot Mercato (via EPL Index), Chelsea are considering sending midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu out on loan for the 2024-25 season. The 20-year-old French midfielder joined the Blues last summer from Rennes in a dealt worth €27 million but experienced a challenging debut season in England.
Ugochukwu, who signed a seven-year contract with the London club, made just 15 appearances across competitions due to a recurring hamstring injury. His unproductive debut season, along with a crowded midfield at the club, means the Blues are looking to send him out on loan.
The current Chelsea midfield includes Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, Carney Chukwuemeka, Conor Gallagher, and the recently signed Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. These players form the core of the club's midfield, potentially leading to reduced playing time for Ugochukwu in the upcoming season.
According to the report, Chelsea also considered sending the midfielder on loan last season. However, the player impressed then-manager Mauricio Pochettino during pre-season, which earned him a spot in the senior squad.
With the appointment of Enzo Maresca and other fringe players returning from loan, the club could now be forced to ship Ugochukwu away. The report states that Everton and an unnamed Ligue 1 club have shown interest in the player. However, the player prefers a Premier League loan as he aims to establish himself in English football.
Chelsea's 2024 summer transfer activity so far
Chelsea have been one of the most active Premier League clubs in the 2024 summer transfer market, with six incoming transfers so far. The Blues most-recently roped in Renato Veiga from Swiss club FC Basel for £12 million as per transfermarkt.
They have also signed Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester City, Marc Guiu from Barcelona, and Omari Kellyman from Aston Villa. Other players who have joined the club this summer are Tosin Adarabioyo (free agent), and Estevao Willian (Palmeiras) who will join the Blues in the summer of 2025.
On the other hand, Chelsea have sold Ian Matseen to Aston Villa, while Hakim Ziyech and Lewis Hall have permanently joined Galatasaray and Newcastle respectively after loan spells in the previous campaign.