Southampton manager discusses Lesley Ugochukwu’s role in the Saints squad
Southampton manager Russell Martin has highlighted the competition for the number 6 position between Lesley Ugochukwu and Flynn Downes ahead of their Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Martin discussed Ugochukwu’s role in the team after the 20-year-old French-Nigerian midfielder joined Southampton on loan from Chelsea for the 2024-2025 season.
Despite Ugochukwu’s strong performances for Chelsea during pre-season, where he scored crucial goals against Wrexham and Inter Milan, Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca decided to loan him out to Southampton to further his development.
Martin explained that Ugochukwu, who is the nephew of former Super Eagles defender Onyekachi Apam, will primarily compete with Flynn Downes for the holding midfield position but did not rule out the possibility of them playing together.
“I would say the number six position is where Lesley will ultimately compete with Flynn and sometimes play alongside Flynn,” Martin told reporters, as relayed by the Daily Echo. “The game has to go through you, so that’s not an easy position to learn very quickly, but he’s already been hit with a lot of information and he’s adapting.”
Ugochukwu, who was not registered in time for Southampton’s Premier League opener against Newcastle United, is hoping to make his debut against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, August 24. He will be wearing the number 26 jersey.
