Chelsea recall Lesley Ugochukwu from France Olympic squad as they plan loan move

The French Football Federation announced Chelsea have recalled Lesley Ugochukwu from France’s squad for the Paris 2024 Olympics 

The 20-year-old wasn’t part of Thierry Henry’s 18-man squad, but he had remained with the team as a replacement player. 

However, just days before France’s opening game with the USA, Chelsea have decided to recall Ugochukwu. 

According to The Athletic, the Blues are planning to send him on loan this summer. 

The midfielder arrived at Stamford Bridge from Rennes last summer in a deal worth £23.1 million. 

He made three Premier League starts under Mauricio Pochettino last term before picking up a hamstring injury to miss almost all of the second-half of the campaign. 

The West Londoners are now planning to loan out the 20-year-old to another Premier League club where he can hope to gain valuable first-team experience. 

Chelsea have already seen a lot of transfer activity this summer. Ian Maatsen, Hakim Ziyech, Omari Hutchinson and Lewis Hall have left the club, but they have brought in some top young talents in Omari Kellyman, Marc Guiu and Renato Veiga. 

The Blues are still in the market for a top-class striker and have been heavily linked with a move for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen. 

But the Nigeria international’s huge £113m price tag is the biggest stumbling block in the way of a deal.