Lesley Ugochukwu has made just one Premier League appearance for Chelsea since November due to injury. The 19-year-old last featured in the Blues’ 2-1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Christmas Eve. He started at Molineux but was hauled off before the hour mark after picking up a knock.
Ugochukwu was returning from a hamstring injury at the time and went on to suffer a setback. Nizaar Kinsella of the Evening Standard said the midfielder could be out for six weeks, so he’s had no luck. Ugochukwu joined Chelsea in August and only has three league starts to his name.
Pochettino hasn’t been able to trust Ugochukwu
The 19-year-old has made 13 appearances in all competitions this season, amassing 537 minutes of playing time. Mauricio Pochettino has tried to develop Ugochukwu with introductions from the bench, but opportunities have been few and far between.
He was handed only one minute in Chelsea’s win over Tottenham Hotspur and draw with Manchester City but started their 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United. Chelsea haven’t won a league game Ugochukwu has started, so it’s not been a great debut campaign in West London.
Ugochukwu has missed 10 matches in the last two months, so he’ll be short of match fitness when he does return. Chelsea won’t get the French U21 international back until March if he’s out for six weeks too. Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are forming a formidable partnership, so Ugochukwu is unlikely to upset the applecart when fit.
What games is he likely to miss?
Should the Frenchman be on the treatment table for six more weeks, he might miss up to eight games.
Chelsea host Middlesbrough in the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final clash on Tuesday, January 23. Then they’ll host Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday, January 26. After that, the Blues travel to Anfield face Liverpool on Wednesday, January 31.
In February, Chelsea welcome Wolves to Stamford Bridge on the 4th. They’ll make the short trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace on the 12th. Then Chelsea travel to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City on the 17th. The Blues lock horns with Tottenham on the 23rd to see out the month.
Chelsea travel to face Brentford six weeks from now (March 2), but Ugochukwu might be doubtful.
In other news, Trevoh Chalobah could leave Chelsea in January with clubs circling
