Chelsea’s recent acquisition, Lesley Ugochukwu, has identified Nigerian football legends Austin Jay Jay Okocha and John Obi Mikel as his role models.
Despite the limited time Okocha and Mikel spent together in the national team, Ugochukwu, who joined Chelsea in the summer from Rennes, expressed admiration for both players, citing their impactful careers with the Super Eagles.
Okocha and Mikel, who had distinguished careers representing Nigeria, played in different eras, with Okocha already approaching the end of his international career when Mikel fully joined the national team. Nevertheless,
Ugochukwu, in an interview reported by Complete Sports via Chelseafc.com, highlighted the influence both players had on him as he navigates his career, particularly drawing inspiration from Mikel Obi’s performances as a midfielder.
The Chelsea midfielder, who made the switch from French Ligue 1 side Rennes for a reported fee of €27 million, had earlier disclosed his decision to join the Premier League club in an interview with L’Equipe, expressing his aspiration to play for a top-tier team.
Ugochukwu’s admiration for Okocha and Mikel underscores the enduring impact these Nigerian football icons have had on the younger generation, both within the country and globally. As he dons the Chelsea blue, Ugochukwu aims to follow in the footsteps of his esteemed role models, carving out his own legacy in the world of football.
