Super Eagles-eligible star Lesley Ugochukwu put up an impressive performance in Chelsea’s 2-2 draw against League One side Wrexham in the Blues pre-season tour.
The midfielder scored a late equalizer to help Enzo Maresca’s side escape a disappointing defeat in their first pre-season game.
However, two goals in the second half, from Luke Bolton and Jack Marriott in minutes (58 and 71), completely changed the course of the match.
But Ugochukwu rose to the occasion, scoring the equalizer, as the game ended in a draw.
Speaking following the 2-2 draw at Levi’s Stadium, the 20-year-old midfielder expressed his happiness at scoring his first goal for the team in the recent friendly against Wrexham.
The French-born player with Nigerian descent attributed his goal to an increased focus on attacking play and gave Maresca credit for the continuous improvement.
Ugochukwu on goal against Wrexham
“I tried to put it in. I would say I am practising it as much as I can. It’s not every time that people see me in that situation but when I got there I tried to keep calm,” the young midfielder said, per Chelsea official website.
“I was told to be calm with the ball, try to go forward and trust the process. Not rush it and I try to do what I was asked to do at half-time, and I did my best.
“He (Maresca) came with very good ideas, so we are still learning about how he wants us to play and everyone is putting in the effort to do what he wants us to do, and that is what we tried.”
Ugochukwu’s Nigerian ties and possibilities of playing for the Super Eagles
Despite featuring for the French youth teams, Ugochukwu is still eligible to play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria as a result of his ties with the country.
Born of Nigerian parents, the 20-year-old midfielder, is also a cousin to Nigerian centre back Onyekachi Apam.
