Nigeria should make a move for Rennes midfielder, has the makings of heir to Wilfred Ndidi

Lesley Ugochukwu is a defensive midfielder that plays for Rennes in Ligue 1. The 18-year-old who was born in France to Nigerian parents is a cousin of retired Nigeria international Onyekachi Akpam.

​This season, he has featured 16 times in the Ligue 1, starting 8 of those games.

With Ndidi's lack of form for Leicester City, Ugochukwu could be a good backup/replacement for him.

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Having made his senior debut in 2021, Ugochukwu is beginning to show his potential in the Ligue 1 in 2022-2023.

He has won 68.8% of his tackles which is more than Ndidi's 34.6% for Leicester City in the Premier League. 
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The fact that the young midfielder does not shy away from duels is laudable. He has made 40 defensive actions (tackles plus interceptions), three less than Ndidi who has logged more minutes on the pitch. 

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Ugochukwu is also proving to be a good passer of the ball completing 86.2 % of his passes which is a fraction away from Ndidi's 86.8%.

What caught my attention was the fact that he is a good long passer. He has completed 84.5% of his long passes which is way more than Ndidi, who has completed just 53.2%.

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The Rennes midfielder is far from being the finished article but could be a world-class defensive midfielder in the coming years. 

If he can polish his game, the defensive midfield of the Super Eagles will be secured for the next decade.

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This is why he should be approached by the Nigeria Football Federation and manager Jose Peseiro to switch his international allegiance from France to Nigeria.

If Ugochukwu is convinced to play for the national team,  he might not be ready to start games regularly for the Super Eagles but could ably deputize for Ndidi whenever he is absent.

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Frank Onyeka and Innocent Bonke have had to deputise for Ndidi but none has proved doubters wrong.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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