“We will send him back in January” – Chelsea will bring ‘brilliant’ loanee back to Stamford Bridge in January

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Chelsea’s Squad Depth Tested in Win Against Brentford

Chelsea’s highly-praised squad depth faced a stern test over the weekend in their 2-1 victory against Brentford at Stamford Bridge. The absence of several key players, including long-term injuries to Reece James and Wesley Fofana, as well as sidelined stars like Romeo Lavia, Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, and Benoit Badiashile, left the Blues relying on academy talents to fill their bench.

This situation has raised questions among fans about whether Chelsea needs reinforcements in January to maintain their competitive edge. One potential solution lies in recalling players currently out on loan, including midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu.

Lesley Ugochukwu Struggling for Minutes at Southampton

The young French midfielder, who joined Southampton on loan this season, has struggled to secure regular playing time. Southampton’s recent sacking of manager Russell Martin has left Ugochukwu’s future at the club uncertain. Reports suggest Chelsea are likely to recall him in January.

Renowned journalist David Ornstein told NBC Sports:

“They have some capacity to do something in January, but I think they’ll want to trim the squad as a priority. They’ll lose players like Lesley Ugochukwu when he goes back to Chelsea when he gets recalled I’m sure.”

Enzo Maresca’s Uncertainty About Ugochukwu’s Return

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has previously expressed uncertainty about Ugochukwu’s status come January. Despite playing a significant role in Chelsea’s pre-season campaign and earning praise from former Southampton manager Martin, who called him a “brilliant athlete,” Ugochukwu has not been able to replicate that success at St. Mary’s Stadium.

Maresca, however, might need Ugochukwu’s versatility to bolster Chelsea’s midfield options, especially with the club aiming to maintain momentum in a demanding season.

What’s Next for Ugochukwu?

If recalled, Ugochukwu could serve as valuable depth for Chelsea, given their ongoing injury challenges. However, a move to another club might better suit the 19-year-old’s development if game time remains elusive at Stamford Bridge.

As Chelsea navigates the complexities of squad management, the January transfer window will likely determine whether Ugochukwu becomes a key piece of their midfield or continues his journey elsewhere.