There could be one benefit of Enzo Maresca leaving Leicester City to take the manager’s job at Chelsea this summer.
Enzo Maresca won’t have too many well wishers from Leicester City having left the club after just one season in charge after they took a big risk in handing him just his second senior management role.
It has now been over a week since the Argentine was announced as Mauricio Pochettino’s replacement at Chelsea and Leicester remain without a manager.
Work is being done behind the scenes to put that right, with the likes of Steve Cooper, Graham Potter, Carlos Corberan and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer just some of the names mentioned.
Whoever is appointed will know they need some additions in preparation for a Premier League survival bid and Maresca could give his former employers a parting gift by sending them a talented player on loan.
Leicester should consider Lesley Ugochukwu loan approach
It is no secret that Chelsea have a very big squad that they are looking to trim down this summer.
Since Todd Boehly bought the club in May 2022 there has very much been a focus on buying the most promising young talents around the world and tying them down to long-term contracts.
The likes of Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Malo Gusto and Cole Palmer are all examples of this, but one signing that has gone slightly under the radar is that of Lesley Ugochukwu.
Chelsea spent £23.1 million to sign Ugochukwu from Rennes last summer, with the then-19-year-old very much fitting Chelsea’s recruitment model.
However, with Chelsea’s two record signings Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, playing the same position as him, as well as captain Conor Gallagher occupying a midfield spot, it was always going to be difficult for Ugochukwu to get game time.
The Frenchman was not helped by a hamstring injury, but made just three starts in his maiden Premier League season and is likely to find it difficult again next season in an over-inflated Chelsea squad.
Therefore, Leicester should look to capitalise on their link with Maresca to secure a season-long loan for a player who could make the difference in the battle for survival.
Ugochukwu compared to France legend Patrick Vieira
Whilst the Foxes are unlikely to do any business prior to appointing their new manager, Ugochukwu has the skillset to improve the side regardless of who is in charge.
The defensive midfielder possesses real athleticism and his 6ft 2in frame make him a physical presence at the heart of the midfield.
The Athletic identified Ugochukwu in a series profiling 50 exciting players under the age of 25 last June and explained how his long stride and ability to drive with the ball have seen him compared to Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira.
Ugochukwu told The Athletic: “When I was small, I would watch the skills of players like Pogba and Vieira on YouTube.”
“They inspired me a lot because of the way they play. When I grew up, my academy coach sometimes called me ‘Vieira’ because they could see some techniques that he had before. I kind of see myself in both players.”
With opportunities likely to be at a premium at Chelsea, Maresca could sanction a temporary move to his former club to aid the France under-21 international’s development and subsequently help the Foxes upon their return to the Premier League.
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