Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca never managed Lesley Ugochukwu in a competitive game during the midfielder’s time at Stamford Bridge.
Ugochukwu did get the opportunity to work under Maresca in pre-season, even scoring in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Inter Milan in 2024.
However, that was not enough to convince the Blues and the 21-year-old was eventually sold to Burnley following a loan spell at Southampton.
How will Chelsea get on against Burnley?
His move to Scott Parker’s side would have surprised some. In the past, it had been claimed that Chelsea saw similarities between Ugochukwu and Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca at press conference
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca discovered Lesley Ugochukwu had left Chelsea through the phone
In August, the month that Ugochukwu joined Burnley, Maresca revealed that he finds out about exits at Chelsea via text messages and phone calls. It was no different in Ugochukwu’s case.
Speaking about the players who had been training away from the first team, including Ugochukwu, Maresca told The Sun: “The situation, I think, is quite clear. They are training. I guess they are waiting for a solution.
“But when they leave, it’s just the club that they text me or they call me. It was just mentioned to me that Lesley joined Burnley.”
There were a lot of exits at Chelsea over the summer, and there could be more in the January transfer window.
Filip Jorgensen wants to leave Chelsea so that he can get more minutes ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Josh Acheampong has also been linked with Fiorentina following a serious injury to Tariq Lamptey.
Lesley Ugochukwu of Burnley running
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Why Chelsea will have to watch out for Lesley Ugochukwu
Ugochukwu will be looking to punish his former side when they travel to Turf Moor on Saturday, and he may be able to do so.
The France Under-21 international has already scored a couple of goals in the Premier League this season, which is not bad for a young defensive midfielder.
In total, Ugochukwu has made 10 appearances in the top flight under Parker, starting in seven of them.
Chelsea’s last five results at Turf Moor
Burnley 1-4 Chelsea – 07/10/23
Burnley 0-4 Chelsea – 05/03/22
Burnley 0-3 Chelsea – 31/10/20
Burnley 2-4 Chelsea – 26/10/19
Burnley 0-4 Chelsea – 28/10/18
So far, then, his move to Burnley has worked out. The former Chelsea man is getting minutes and has even been able to chip in with two goals.
Still, Maresca’s side have more than enough to beat Ugochukwu and Burnley. Anything other than a win would be disappointing.