Chelsea youngster Lesley Ugochukwu aims to follow in Mikel Obi’s footsteps

Super Eagles legend, Mikel Obi, was popularly known for his stint at Chelsea FC, and he played a significant role for the club during his time at the London-based club, as well as in the Super Eagles squad

Chelsea's teenage midfielder, Lesley Ugochukwu, is determined to follow in the footsteps of club legend Mikel Obi, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Super Eagles legend enjoyed a highly successful career at Stamford Bridge, accumulating an impressive collection of nine titles during his 11-year tenure with Chelsea.

He made 372 appearances, scoring six goals, and contributing 13 assists, with a remarkable achievements that include winning the Premier League twice, the FA Cup four times, the League Cup twice, as well as the UEFA Champions League and Europa League.

However, the 19-year-old defensive midfielder with Nigerian heritage, shares his position and background with Mikel, making him a natural successor to the former Nigeria captain at the club.

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Ugochukwu sees Mikel as a significant source of inspiration for his own career, highlighting the impact and legacy of Mikel's time at Chelsea

“Just look at all the trophies he [Mikel Obi] has won and the legends that have passed through the club,” Ugochukwu remarked, via Chelsea’s official website.

The young midfielder aspires to emulate Mikel's success and reputation at the club but acknowledges that achieving this goal will require dedication and hard work.

“They say I can become a great midfielder like him, if I put in the work and everything goes well. I want to be like him but it’s up to me to prove that I can have my place in the long term. I wanted to take this step. When a club of this stature comes in for you, it’s very difficult to refuse.

“I have great confidence in myself, in my qualities, in what I can do. I know that if I do things correctly, everything will go as planned. I have the trust of the club, of the staff, that’s what pushed me to say to myself: Go for it! If they came for you, it’s because you have the qualities.” Ugochukwu affirmed.

Ugochukwu's determination to follow in Mikel Obi's footsteps reflects his ambition and commitment to excel at the club, and if he keeps up, it will take little time to see him maximize his potential.