Ugochukwu makes Southampton owner admission about promotion

Ugochukwu, who spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Saints from Chelsea, is confident the club's hierarchy will make the right decisions during an important summer.

Saints have already appointed highly-rated young coach Will Still as their new permanent manager, and are expected to hold out for true values when selling players.

The club are targeting a return to the top-flight after suffering a second relegation in three seasons, with the latest demotion seeing them win just 12 points.

Ugochukwu admitted it will be difficult for Saints to hold onto their best players, but is looking forward to following their Championship campaign from afar.

“I will watch them for sure (next season). Probably not all of the games, but I will definitely watch them. I will follow them," he told the Daily Echo.

Lesley Ugochukwu's final Southampton appearance came against Arsenal in a 2-1 defeat at St Mary's. (Image: Stuart Martin)

READ: Saints to host Valenciennes in pre-season friendly at Staplewood

“They have got good players in the team and I hope they can keep all the guys. It won’t be easy. I will still have contact with some of them.

“I think they will come back up (to the Premier League). I trust that the owners will make great choices for the team.”

Although Ugochukwu confessed his disappointment at not helping Saints avoid relegation back to the Championship, he has enjoyed life in the city.

Living near Ocean Village, the 21 year old praised the welcome he received from people in the local area and the support he has been given by club staff.

“I enjoyed it very much. The lads here are amazing. People around us helped us during this tough season," he explained, looking back at his year in red and white.

"I lived close to Ocean Village, and the people out there are top. It’s a very nice area. I enjoyed my time in Southampton."

Southampton's Lesley Ugochukwu ahead of their 0-0 draw with Man City at St Mary's. (Image: Stuart Martin)READ: Five right-backs Saints should consider to replace Walker-Peters

Saints were savvy in the loan market during their previous Championship campaign and may look to replicate that success this summer. 

Ugochukwu insisted he will "definitely" recommend Saints to any players seeking advice ahead of a potential loan move to the south coast.

“They will enjoy their time here because it’s a place where you want to win, of course, but there is not too much pressure," he continued.

“Southampton is a place that they will love. At the start of the season, it wasn’t easy. As the season went on, I played as much as I could.

“Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to help the team too much because we went down, but from a personal perspective, I played a lot of games in the Prem.

"Football has its ups and downs. Today you might be there, and tomorrow they want someone else. You have to fight every day for your position."

Lesley Ugochukwu will now return to Chelsea following the conclusion of his loan.  (Image: Richard Crease) Ugochukwu confessed he is yet to speak about his future with his parent club, Chelsea, but it has since been reported that the Blues are willing to send him back out on loan.

He struggled for regular minutes early in his Saints stint but went on to play 26 of 38 Premier League games after winning the trust of Simon Rusk and Ivan Juric.

But there is one moment that stands out above all others from his time at St Mary's: his late equaliser against West Ham, which took Saints to 11 points.

“The goal against West Ham was a massive one," the former Rennes midfielder revealed when asked for his favourite memory at Saints. 

"It means a lot to me because the way they celebrated that day was massive as well. I felt something strong between me and the fans.”