Lesley Ugochukwu withdraws from France’s Olympic squad due to Injury
Nigeria-eligible and Chelsea FC footballer, Lesley Chimuanya Ugochukwu, has withdrawn from France’s 2024 Paris Olympics squad.
The young midfielder, who was signed by Chelsea from Stade Rennais for £23.1 million last season, struggled to secure a regular spot in the team, making only 15 appearances across all competitions.
Despite limited playtime, Ugochukwu was selected by Thierry Henry for France’s Olympic team, preparing for the tournament alongside other French stars.
The French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed that Chelsea recalled Ugochukwu from the Olympic squad due to an injury. According to The Athletic, this injury has ruled him out of representing France at the Olympics.
Ugochukwu’s decision to leave the French team opens the possibility of him choosing to play for Nigeria in the future. He has also spent some time in Nigeria following a hamstring injury sustained while playing for Chelsea.
It remains unclear if Ugochukwu will opt to play for Nigeria, the three-time AFCON champions, in the future. Meanwhile, Chelsea is considering loan alternatives for Ugochukwu, prioritizing a Premier League club where he can gain more playtime.
Chelsea, under the leadership of Enzo Maresca, is preparing for a preseason tour of the United States. They will play against AFC Wrexham, Celtic, Club América, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan. Ugochukwu has been invited to join the team’s preseason roster by the Italian coach, and the team is set to depart on Monday.
