Mauricio Pochettino hints Chelsea new signing Lesley Ugochukwu may be sent out on loan
Mauricio Pochettino has indicated that Chelsea new signing, Lesley Ugochukwu, has been acquired in a view to initially be sent on loan for next season.
The Blues signed a Frenchman from Stade Rennais FC who has completed his medical and will sign a long-term deal at Stamford Bridge. The Blues are searching for a defensive midfielder, but Ugochukwu is young and might take a long time to earn regular game time at West London.
The Blues are currently pursuing Moises Caicedo, who remains the top priority of the West Londoners, but talks with Brighton & Hove Albion have so far looked fruitless. Landing him will certainly give Pochettino a solid base in the middle of the park.
However, Pochettino has already urged the club to add more experience in midfield, and a new signing is unlikely to remain at the club. Speaking after their 2-0 win over Fulham in a pre-season game, (h/t Daily Mail) the Argentine boss claimed:
‘‘I don’t know the information that you have. My information is that he is a player that is from France that maybe they are signing with the idea to send on loan, using a different club, but that information was already on your laptop. There is nothing to say too much.’’
Sending a talented player out on loan when first-team opportunities are scarce makes proper sense. It will give the player an opportunity to develop their game and hopefully come back to make a name for themselves at Stamford Bridge.
The 19-year-old might move on loan, where he could pick up essential exposure and become in a position to play at the top level soon. Despite only being 19, the teenager was a key member at Rennes, earning 60 club appearances after being promoted to the senior team. Surely, he will benefit from regular playtime even if it is not in Chelsea colours.
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Had Chelsea signed him earlier, Pochettino might have had a chance to witness his performance in pre-season games, although we will next face Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, which will be our last pre-season game. But he certainly boasts potential to become a top midfielder and it remains to be seen where he will be sent on loan; if an offer from the Premier League arrives, that would be even better.