Mauricio Pochettino dismisses Chelsea’s new £23.5m signing Lesley Ugochukwu as ‘a player from France that they sign for some loan’ in a thinly-veiled dig at the Blues’ transfer policy as he pleads for more midfield additions

Mauricio Pochettino has indicated that incoming midfield signing Lesley Ugochukwu has been bought with a view to initially going on loan.

Chelsea agreed a £23.5million deal with Rennes for the France under-19 international who has passed a medical and will sign a long-term deal.

The Blues are short on numbers in central midfield but Pochettino is keen to bring in a more experienced options in that area, with Brighton’s Moises Caicedo the priority target.

Following Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Fulham which saw them crowned winners of the inaugural, pre-season Premier League Summer Series trophy, head coach Pochettino said: ‘I don’t know the information that you have. 

Chelsea have entered into talks to sign Lesley Ugochukwu from Rennes and are planning on loaning him out immediately

The 19-year-old midfielder is one for the future, and was on the 2023 Golden Boy Index

‘My information is he is a player that is from France that maybe they are signing with the idea to send on some loan, using a different club but that information was already in your laptop. 

‘There is nothing to say too much.’

The 19 year-old is predominantly a defensive midfielder and has already made 60 senior appearances for Rennes, who finished fourth in Ligue 1 last season to qualify for the Europa League. 

Chelsea’s signing of up and coming under-21 prospects has been a feature of their transfer business under the new regime.

Ogochukwu will join a list that already includes goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina, midfielders Cesare Casadei, Andrey Santos, and Carney Chukwuemeka, wingers Diego Moreira, Dujuan ‘Whisper’ Richards and Angelo plus striker David Datro Fofana.

Chelsea also agreed a £39m deal with Monaco for centre-back Axel Disasi on Sunday

Chelsea also agreed a deal with Independiente del Valle to sign highly-rated Ecuadorian midfielder Kendry Paez who cannot join the club until after he is 18 in May 2025.

In another period of busy Chelsea transfer activity they also agreed a £39m deal with Monaco for centre-back Axel Disasi on Sunday.

Chelsea moved swiftly to sign him while Premier League rivals Manchester United and Newcastle continued to deliberate over whether to firm up their interest.

The 19 year-old is predominantly a defensive midfielder and has already made 60 senior appearances for Rennes, who finished fourth in Ligue 1 last season to qualify for the Europa League.

Pochettino said: ‘You have more news than me! [Wesley] Fofana is injured it is obvious that maybe we need to reinforce this area. It is clear, no.’