Thomas Tuchel believes Ugbo will thrive playing alongside another striker

Published: July 28, 2021

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel believes Ike Ugbo will thrive playing alongside another striker, more than he would playing as a sole striker in the team.

Despite immense speculation linking the Super Eagles hopeful with a departure from Stamford Bridge before the close of the summer transfer window, the German football tactician continues to hand minutes to the former England U17 international in pre-season.

Against Bournemouth on Tuesday night, Tuchel deployed a 5-3-2 formation in the second half, using Ugbo and Broja as the two strikers and it was the duo that saved the European champions from an embarrassing defeat at the Vitality Stadium.

Broja restored parity in the 71st minute before the Nigerian attacker scored what proved the winning goal five minutes later when he nodded in an excellent delivery from Ross Barkley.

Speaking to Chelsea's official website, Tuchel stated : "It suits Armando and Ike better as double strikers.

"They had the two chances and they took them. This is what they do and now they have to continue.

"It was good, and necessary to turn the game around. It’s a much better feeling to win games and to continue from there, than to lose and worry or be sad and angry."

Towards the end of last season at Cercle Brugge, Ugbo flourished playing alongside another striker, either Kevin Denkey or Olivier Deman, scoring five goals in his last seven matches.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com

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