'It's clear Pochettino sees something in this young talent' - Chelsea expert rates Ugochukwu after win v Blackburn

Chelsea have set up a quarterfinal clash with Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup after beating Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers in a fourth round tie at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

In his first start of the season after recovering from a hamstring injury, French central defender Benoît Badiashile broke the deadlock in the 30th minute when he slotted low into the net after a goalkeeping error by Rovers goalkeeper Leopold Wahlstedt.

 Raheem Sterling curled the ball into the far corner from 15 yards to double the advantage just before the hour mark.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino handed a third consecutive start in the Carabao Cup to Lesley Ugochukwu, nephew of retired international Onyekachi Apam, and he went the distance just as he did in the previous rounds against AFC Wimbledon and Brighton & Hove. 

The France U21 international partnered  Enzo Fernandez in the middle of the pack. 

Ugochukwu seems to enjoy the trust of Pochettino with the Argentine football tactician naming the defensive midfielder in every single matchday squad he has announced since his appointment as Chelsea coach. 

The Standard's Chelsea expert Nizaar Kinsella has praised the French-Nigerian youngster for his performance against Blackburn Rovers, handing him a rating of seven out of ten. 

He wrote: "Made some good defensive interventions. It is clear Pochettino sees something in this young talent."

Only Enzo Fernandez and Raheem Sterling rated higher than Ugochukwu in Kinsella's player grades.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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