'He's Still A Bit Behind In Fitness' - Cercle Brugge Coach Reveals Reason Chelsea Loanee Started Vs Mechelen

Chelsea loanee Ike Ugbo was surprisingly named in Cercle Brugge's starting lineup as they registered their first away win of the new season, coming from behind to beat Mechelen 3-2 on Saturday evening.

The West Flanders club announced the signing of the Nigerian striker four days before he stepped out onto the
AFAS-stadion Achter de Kazerne for his first competitive match.

Cercle Brugge manager Paul Clement has revealed that Ugbo was originally supposed to be named among the substitutes, only for Congo international Guy Mbenza to suffer an injury a day before the trip to Mechelen.

Ugbo repaid Clement's faith in him by scoring 54 minutes into his debut and helping Cercle Brugge record their second consecutive win in the Belgian First Division A.

"It is good for him that he can make a new start, with a good goal," Clement was quoted as saying by voetbalkrant.com.

"He is a good attacker, you can see how he runs to the first post when he scored. He is still a bit behind in fitness.

"It is good that he has already had sixty minutes in his legs. Normally Mbenza would play and Ugbo would start on the couch. "

Ugbo spent last season on loan at Roda JC in the Netherlands, where he impressed with 13 goals in 28 league games.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel