Enzo Fernandez out injured, Caicedo unavailable: Ugochukwu named in Chelsea's starting XI v Wolves

Lesley Ugochukwu, nephew of retired Nigeria international Onyekachi Apam, will make his injury comeback for Chelsea when they take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in a Premier League clash at  Molineux this Christmas Eve.

The France U21 international of Nigerian descent has been named in Chelsea's starting lineup to face Wolves. 

Manager Mauricio Pochettino had no choice but to include Ugochukwu in the starting lineup, with Enzo Fernandez ruled out for the trip to Wolverhampton due to a hernia issue.

The 2022 Fifa World Cup winner with Argentina was substituted after the half-hour mark in the Carabao Cup win versus Newcastle United as a result of the ailment. 

Ugochukwu has also climbed the pecking order of defensive midfielders, with Moises Caicedo unavailable for selection due to illness. 

The French-Nigerian youngster starts in the holding midfield role along with Conor Gallagher, who captains the team in the absence of Reece James, who has had surgery on a hamstring injury. 

Ugochukwu is making his first start for Chelsea since the Premier League clash against Newcastle United on November 25, taking his total appearances for the club he joined in the summer to thirteen in all competitions. 

Meanwhile, another fit-again player of Nigerian descent, Noni Madueke has been named among the Chelsea substitutes. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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