Chelsea facing a battle to hold onto promising youngster Ike Ugbo
According to The Sun (h/t Football.london), Chelsea are facing a battle to hold on to promising young starlet Ike Ugbo
The 22-year-old striker has been with the Chelsea academy since 2007. He came through the ranks before going on to impress for the club’s Under-18 and Under-23 sides.
Currently on loan at Belgian side Cercle Brugge, Ugbo has attracted attention by scoring 10 goals in 15 appearances. (h/t Football.london)
Cercle have an option to sign him for €5m, but the London-born striker is determined to make a name for himself at the Bridge. (h/t Mirror)
However, clubs continue to circle following his impressive performances in Belgium. Russian side FC Rostov had a £3million bid for Ugbo rejected by Chelsea.
Ugbo’s spell in Belgium is his fifth loan spell away from the Bridge. The youngster also gave a good account of himself in the 2019/20 season at JC Roda in the Dutch second division.
The youngster was a part of Jody Morris’ Chelsea side that won the FA Youth Cup. Morris now serves as an assistant to Frank Lampard and will be well aware of the player’s abilities.
Ugbo signed a contract extension last season. His current deal at the club runs until 2022.
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Ugbo is keen to follow in the footsteps of fellow Chelsea youngsters Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount and Reece James. All three are now a part of the senior squad, having come up through the academy. (h/t The Sun)
With Olivier Giroud not getting any younger, Chelsea could be in the market for a replacement once the Frenchman’s contract expires in the summer.
Ugbo is well placed to show he has what it takes to replace the veteran striker next season. He has his heart at Chelsea, now it has to be seen if he can back it up with his skills.