To think that his first start came 18 months ago in a high profile game against runaway Ligue 1 leaders PSG, one month after he turned 17 year old says a lot about how talented Lesley Ugochukwu is as he has racked up 32 appearances in the league since then.
Discussions about his international future came up again when his father posted a picture with one of the vice captains of the Nigerian team Moses Simon after the 3-0 win Rennes had over Nantes. It was the fifth game for Ugochukwu this season.
The 18 year old had his season interrupted by a red card he picked up in match day three against Ajaccio hence was suspended for the next game, he was subsequently named on the bench for the next two consecutive games.
One thing that is certain is that he is sure to have a guarantee future if he continues to progress this way not just at club level but also at international level, where he is eligible for both Nigeria and France. For now he has only represented France at U19 level.
Before his debut for France, the nephew of former Super Eagles defender Onyekachi Apam was courted by ex coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Genort Rohr. Talks didn’t progress as expected with the German coach not so keen on the then 17 year old.
From then to now he has truly grown in leaps and bounds thanks to a fair amount of senior games. Taking his ability to the senior international stage might be a bit for sudden but that’s probably for France but not Nigeria who as it stands can’t boast of having a midfielder of his type.
Already 1.88 metres-tall with still some growing to do, Ugochukwu uses his timing and balance as much as his physical stature to dispossess opposition attackers, normally from the base of his side’s midfield.
Still capable of playing centre-back but with an eye for goal going forward, Ugochukwu has been compared to FC Nantes, Olympique de Marseille, AC Milan, Chelsea and France legend Marcel Desailly by his academy coaches.
With such a profile which Nigeria can only say Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi can be said to be close to then it’s fair to say Jose Peseiro should do whatever it takes to get Ugochukwu, who has strong Nigerian links to pledge his future to the senior national team of Nigeria.