Chelsea star will not take part in 2024 Paris Olympics for his country as club request his withdrawl from squad
Chelsea midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu has left France's Olympic Team and won't be present at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer. The Premier League giants have requested the 20-year-old's release, and he's set to spend pre-season with the Stamford Bridge outfit.
Ugochukwu was available as a reserve player for Thierry Henry's French Olympic Team but will now be replaced. He looks set to be part of the Chelsea squad Enzo Maresca takes to the United States.
The French Football Federation released a statement on its official website:
"Following a request from Chelsea FC, Lesley Ugochukwu will permanently leave the French Olympic football team and will no longer be available as a reserve. The technical staff, who have made a request to the organizers to be able to replace him, are awaiting a response."
Ugochukwu missed most of the 2023-24 campaign due to a hamstring injury. He appeared 15 times across competitions, amounting to 567 minutes worth of action. The four-cap France international could be given the chance to impress during pre-season under Maresca.
The defensive midfielder joined Chelsea from Ligue 1 side Stade Rennes last summer for a reported €27 million (£23.5 million). He dropped down Henry's pecking order in the French Olympic Team ahead of the tournament later this summer.
Chelsea's Lesley Ugochukwu is reportedly garnering loan interest from Premier League clubs
Ugochukwu could be on the move this summer as he's received interest from multiple Premier League clubs to leave on loan, per The Athletic. The young Frenchman isn't expected to be a prominent member of Maresca's first team next season.
The Blues strengthened their midfield earlier this summer by signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester City. The English midfielder arrived in a reported £30 million deal after previously working under Maresca at King Power.
Three Premier League clubs and others from abroad have inquired about signing Ugochukwu on loan. Last season, he was supposed to join Chelsea's sister club, Strasbourg, but Mauricio Pochettino opted to keep him at Stamford Bridge.
The west Londoners want the Rennes-born midfielder to play in the Premier League next season. He signed a long-term deal with the club when arriving last summer, so there are no concerns over a potential need to sell.
Ugochukwu is now over his injury issues and available to play. He'll be eager for first-team opportunities to kickstart his career in England after an injury-ridden debut campaign.