Chelsea loanee gives Enzo Maresca's side helping hand in Champions League race

On-loan Chelsea midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu may have just handed his parent club a major boost in the race for Champions League football.

Following last weekend’s triumph over champions Liverpool, Enzo Maresca’s side are now in pole position to secure a top-five finish. That said, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest remain firmly in the hunt, with the battle expected to go right down to the final day of the campaign.

Newcastle United, Manchester City and Arsenal currently sit above Chelsea in the table, but with six teams competing for four Champions League places, two will inevitably miss out. That’s why every point is vital, especially when the margins are this fine.

Manchester City were held to a surprise draw by Southampton on Saturday afternoon, ending a four-game winning streak in the league. The result means the winner of Chelsea’s clash with Newcastle on Sunday can leapfrog Pep Guardiola’s side in the standings.

Ugochukwu, who joined Southampton on a season-long loan last summer, played the first 45 minutes at St Mary’s before being replaced at half-time by Joe Aribo. Despite having 72% possession, City managed just five shots on target across the 90 minutes.

The 21-year-old has made 29 appearances for Southampton in all competitions this season, scoring once and registering two assists. He will return from his loan at the end of the month and remains under contract at Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2030.

For Chelsea, every helping hand between now and the season’s end could prove crucial in securing Champions League qualification. While they also have a UEFA Europa Conference League final against Real Betis on the horizon, finishing in the top five would provide a significant boost to their summer transfer plans.

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