'Some trains don't pass twice': Chelsea summer signing opens up over big money transfer

11 Sept 2023 19:03 BST
3 min read

Mauricio Pochettino and the Chelsea badge on a blue abstract background — © ProShots

One of Chelsea’s many summer signings has insisted he has no doubts over his decision to join the Blues despite having yet to break into Mauricio Pochettino’s first team.

Lesley Ugochukwu joined from Rennes for €27 million but the 19-year-old has played just eight minutes in the Premier League so far despite Chelsea’s rough start to the season.

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The Frenchman revealed that Chelsea had been ‘following him for a while’ and that his decision was ‘very difficult’ to refuse as ‘some trains don’t pass twice’.

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“There were phone calls between the club and me this summer. Those calls went well and we decided to move forward,” he told Le Parisien. “It’s Chelsea! You just need to look at all the trophies that they’ve won and the legends that have played there. When a club of that stature comes in for you, it is very difficult to refuse.

“It’s the start of a new cycle, with new players and new ambitions. I was attracted by what they want to do and by what they see in me. Regarding my ambitions, I think it was perfect to leave at that time.

“They say that I can become a great midfielder if I work hard and everything goes well. It’s up to me to prove that I can have a place in the long term. I wanted to progress,” said Ugochukwu.

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Ugochukwu will likely see more game time after fellow new midfielder arrival Romeo Lavia suffered ligament damage which could see him sidelined for an extended period but the ex-Rennes man is welcoming the difficulties surrounding him.

“It’s the same everywhere, in any team, you are not sure to play. When I arrived at Chelsea, I knew where I was going,” Ugochukwu said “It’s up to you to prove yourself, to show that you deserve your place.

“Personally, I have never been afraid of competition. I will learn from very good players like Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo or Lavia, who is the same age as me. It’s up to me to go and get the most minutes.

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“The learning that I have at Chelsea, daily and at weekends, will allow me to strengthen myself and mature in my game. When you are young, you have to play of course but there are trains that don’t pass twice.”