Chelsea midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu has been speaking following his side’s 2-2 draw with Wrexham.
Chelsea played their first pre-season game in the early hours of Thursday morning, taking on Wrexham as part of their United States tour.
Lesley Ugochukwu was brought on at half-time and spared his team’s blushes after scoring a late equaliser.
While Chelsea had initially taken the lead through Christopher Nkunku, Wrexham eventually found themselves in front thanks to Luke Bolton and Jack Marriott.
Ugochukwu was given some instructions from Enzo Maresca when he came on, though, and managed to score the equaliser shortly after the 80-minute mark.
Lesley Ugochukwu due a goal
Last season, Ugochukwu made 15 appearances for Chelsea but failed to score in any of them.
However, the 20-year-old has been working on his finishing and although it was only a friendly, his goal against Wrexham shows that he may be improving in that area.
Speaking about his strike against Phil Parkinson’s side, he told Chelsea’s official website: “I tried to put it in. I would say I am practising it as much as I can. It’s not every time that people see me in that situation but when I got there I tried to keep calm.”
Ugochukwu may not be at Chelsea during the new season, as he could be loaned out in order to get more game time.
Carney Chukwuemeka may also need a loan move
It was also be interesting to see what Chelsea do with Carney Chukwuemeka. Like Ugochukwu, his minutes were limited last season as well because of injuries.
Chukwuemeka can play in midfield and as a No.10, but Chelsea have several options in those areas of the pitch.
If the 20-year-old wants consistent starts and to find some rhythm, a temporary departure from Stamford Bridge may be necessary.
AC Milan had Chukwuemeka on their list, but that seems to have gone quiet. And the same applies for Ugochukwu.
With Maresca possessing Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Conor Gallagher for now, you would not expect the Frenchman to see too much game time in the upcoming season. Loans for both him and Chukwuemeka could be good, then.
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