Arsenal legend Henry hands first France U21 call-up to Chelsea starlet eligible for Nigeria, Ugochukwu

Arsenal icon Thierry Henry, who is the new coach of France U21 national team, has included Chelsea's Super Eagles-eligible midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu in his first squad list ahead of international matches this month.  

The 1998 World Cup winner with France has selected 23 players on the roster for the friendly match against Denmark and the start of qualifying for the Euro in Slovenia.

Henry has picked four English-based based players in his squad, namely Ugochukwu and his Chelsea teammate Malo Gusto, Southampton's Sekou Mara and Burnley's Wilson Odobert. 

Ugochukwu has earned a double promotion at youth team level for his country of birth after representing the U19s last season. 

Nephew of retired Nigeria international Onyekachi Apam, Ugochukwu was considered for inclusion in France U20s squad to the 2023 Fifa U20 World Cup but Rennes but did not give the French Football Federation the green light as the Ligue 1 season was still in progress. 

The 2023 Golden Boy nominee has played in eighteen matches combined for France U18 and U19 national teams, scoring three goals. 

Another player with a Nigerian background in 2021 Super Eagles invitee Michael Olise has been omitted from the latest France U21 roster as he is still recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered at the U21 Euro. 

Ugochukwu has made three appearances since his celebrated move to Chelsea last month. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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