Mauricio Pochettino, manager of Chelsea, has said that new signing Lesley Ugochukwu, who arrived from Rennes for 27 million euros (£23.2 million), could go on loan.
Ugochukwu has signed a seven-year contract, but Pochettino has not decided on his immediate future.
The 19-year-old has appeared in 47 Ligue 1 games for Rennes, as well as the Europa League.
“We need to assess him when he starts training today and then again in London after the tour,” Pochettino stated.
“He’s a talented young player.” Now is the time to evaluate him till the end of the transfer window to see if he will be with us or if he can be loaned.”
Ugochukwu, whose contract has an option for an additional year, is yet to make his senior debut for France but has represented Les Bleus at the under-17, under-18, and under-19 levels.
Because the Blues’ ownership group purchased a majority stake in Alsace club Strasbourg in June, he might return to Ligue 1 next season.
Chelsea have been interested in Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo throughout the transfer window, with an £80 million bid turned down last week, and Pochettino has been looking for more experienced players to add to his side.
Chelsea’s objective is to add young players with the potential to be future stars while reducing the size of their team after spending £600 million in the previous two transfer windows.
This summer, Kai Havertz, Mateo Kovacic, and Mason Mount all left for Arsenal, Manchester City, and Manchester United, respectively, while N’Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Edouard Mendy joined the Saudi Pro League.
Both Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic have joined AC Milan, while West Ham United has launched a £40 million bid for Conor Gallagher.
Chelsea have already signed strikers Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson, as well as Brazilian youngster Angelo Gabriel, to their roster.
Ugochukwu will be the only new player to join the Blues’ 29-man squad traveling to the United States, but Pochettino is pleased with the Blues’ summer recruiting so far.
“No, I am not disappointed because when we joined, we knew we would find ourselves in this situation,” the Argentine added.
“I am pleased with how the club is doing. Of course, we are working extremely hard to complete the squad as soon as possible.
“We all know that in the final few weeks of the transfer window, things could happen.” It is always preferable to have everything closed ahead of time – not just for us, but also for other clubs.”
Colwill appears to be staying at Chelsea.
Following interest from Brighton, where he had a successful loan spell last season, defender Levi Colwill’s future has been heavily questioned this summer.
The 20-year-old penned a farewell message to the Seagulls on Instagram and is expected to join Chelsea next season.
“I was straightforward with him. “One of the things we discussed was for him to have the opportunity to compete with different team-mates, about deserving to play, and for sure if he deserves to play, he will play,” Pochettino added.
“Of course, there is the option to play. Ben [Badiashile]’s chances are improved because he is a left-footed centre defender. He’ll go up against Ben.
“There are various combinations that can occur.” He must demonstrate that he is ready to play and that he deserves to play.”
