Lesley Ugochukwu: Chelsea are launching a new era

Lesley Ugochukwu says it was the right time to leave Rennes for Chelsea this summer.

The 19 year-old has already made his Premier League debut for the Blues and has impressed coaching staff quickly in training.

"Chelsea had been following me for a while," he told Le Parisien. "There were phone calls between the club and me this summer.

"Those calls went well, and we decided to take the step further.

"It is the start of a new era with new players and ambitions. I was attracted by what they want to achieve and what they see in me.

"I think it was the perfect time to change. They say I can be a great midfielder if I work hard.

"Now it is up to me to prove that I will have a place in the long run."