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Ike Ugbo extends top PL2 form into Toulon Tournament opener

By George Perry

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Ike Ugbo of Chelsea celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the FA Youth Cup Final First Leg match between Manchester City and Chelsea at The Academy Stadium on April 18, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Ike Ugbo of Chelsea celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the FA Youth Cup Final First Leg match between Manchester City and Chelsea at The Academy Stadium on April 18, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) /
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Ike Ugbo was Chelsea’s highest scorer in the Premier League 2 this season. He continued that form to score the winning goal to open England’s Toulon Tournament title defence.

Ike Ugbo scored 11 goals for Chelsea in the Premier League 2 this season, nearly three times as many as Chelsea’s second-highest scorer. Adding his two goals in the EFL Trophy (better known as the Checkatrade Trophy) Ugbo now has 51 goals across the different levels of Chelsea’s academy.

Ugbo and three of his Chelsea teammates started for England in their opening game of the Toulon Tournament against Angola. Ugbo’s 51′ goal stood as the winner.

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England’s Toulon Tournament squad is cobbled together from a broader age range than in previous years. The U-20 World Cup and U-21 European Championships cut into the list of available players for the competition. Chelsea’s quartet ranges from age 17-20, whereas in previous years the squad would be nearly all 20-year olds.

Last year’s Toulon Tournament proved to be a final stepping off point for several young Chelsea players. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Lewis Baker and Kasey Palmer won their final youth trophy in Toulon. One year later they have a Premier League winners’ medal, a historic KNVB Cup and a Premier League promotion to their names, respectively.

Chelsea’s platoon in the Toulon Tournament have at least another year in the academy ranks before beginning their loan rotations. Ugbo should further develop in the PL2 – a U23 league – before playing senior football. After the 2017/18 season he will be a prime candidate for a loan to Vitesse or Bundesliga to take advantage of his versatility while refining his attacking nous.

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England’s next Toulon Tournament match will be Thursday against Cuba, who tied Japan in their group stage opener. Another win for England would ensure they progress to the knock-out rounds and would put them in prime position for top finish in the group.

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