Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has left the possibility open for Lesley Ugochukwu to represent Nigeria, despite the midfielder previously prioritising his international future with France.
The 22-year-old, who recently joined Turkish champions Galatasaray on a season-long loan from Burnley, has long been on the radar of the Nigeria Football Federation due to his Nigerian heritage. However, the France youth international has so far focused on progressing through the French national team setup.
According to sources close to the Super Eagles camp, Chelle has not ruled out welcoming Ugochukwu into his squad should the midfielder decide to switch his international allegiance.
“He (Lesley) is not a priority at the moment, but in the event that he has a change of mind then we can have a discussion. However, playing for Nigeria also means having regular games with your club, so he has to do that for it to happen,” a source close to the team revealed.
Born in France, Ugochukwu has represented France at Under-21 level but remains eligible to play for Nigeria through his family roots. The midfielder is also the nephew of former Super Eagles defender Onyekachi Apam, strengthening his connection to Nigerian football.
The defensive midfielder recently completed a move to Galatasaray, with the Turkish giants paying an initial £3 million loan fee to secure his services from Burnley.
The agreement includes a £22.5 million option to buy, which will automatically become an obligation if the midfielder makes 25 appearances during the 2026/27 campaign. Ugochukwu has already completed his medical examinations and signed a contract reportedly worth £2.25 million per year.
The move to Istanbul presents the talented midfielder with an opportunity to revive his career through consistent first-team football after an inconsistent spell in England.
Known for his physical presence, composure in possession, and ability to shield the defence, Ugochukwu possesses qualities that could strengthen Nigeria’s midfield as the Super Eagles continue rebuilding under Eric Chelle.
Since taking charge of the national team, Chelle has actively pursued talented dual-national players while emphasising that commitment and consistent club performances remain key criteria for selection.
Nigeria has previously benefited from convincing several dual-eligible footballers to represent the country, and the coaching staff believes Ugochukwu could become another valuable addition should he reconsider his international future.
For now, however, Chelle’s focus remains on players fully committed to the Super Eagles project, while leaving the door open for future discussions if the Galatasaray midfielder changes his stance.
As Ugochukwu prepares for an important season in Turkey, strong performances could not only secure his long-term future at Galatasaray but also revive the possibility of wearing the famous green-and-white jersey of Nigeria.
The message from Eric Chelle is clear: the opportunity to represent the Super Eagles remains available, but the next move rests firmly in Lesley Ugochukwu’s hands.
