Why Chelsea must keep hold of Callum Hudson-Odoi amidst Real interest
According to Spanish outlet El Desmarque, Real Madrid are interested in signing Chelsea starlet Callum Hudson-Odoi. (h/t The Sun)
Callum Hudson-Odoi, 19, is considered as one of the brightest talents in English football and almost left Chelsea earlier in January to join Bayern Munich. However, the Bundesliga champions were unable to meet the Blues’ sky-high price tag. (h/t The Sun)
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard was able to convince the winger to commit his future at the Stamford Bridge during the summer. But the report adds Real Madrid are keen to add more youth to their squad and have earmarked several burgeoning stars as potential signings next summer.
Zinedine Zidane is keeping a close eye on Hudson-Odoi, who is yet to rediscover his mojo after returning from a long-term injury. (h/t The Sun) Nevertheless, Chelsea must do everything in their powers to keep hold of Hudson-Odoi from the clutches of Real Madrid.
Lampard has done an excellent job since replacing Maurizio Sarri at the start of the 2019/20 campaign. His side currently find themselves in third place, a point above defending champions Manchester City. The Blues haven’t lost an away game in the league since the opening day defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Despite failing to add a single player in the summer due to the transfer ban and the departure of fan favourite Eden Hazard, Lampard has done a commendable job and deserves plaudits. The likes of Hudson-Odoi, Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori all agreed on bumper new deals as Lampard builds a new era at Stamford Bridge.
As far as Hudson-Odoi is concerned, the 19-year-old announced himself in England’s top-flight last season. The £120,000-a-week starlet earned a call-up to the senior England squad and made his international debut under Gareth Southgate.
Although he is yet to open his Premier League account for the Blues, the winger’s three assists from six games is a decent return to be fair, particularly after returning from a long-term injury.
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The England international is highly rated, and the fact that he is getting so much playing time at just 19 is undoubtedly a sign of his overall quality and trust the manager has in him. Recovering from a ruptured Achilles stunted his development, but the teenager has shown flashes of his undoubted potential since his return.
Verdict
There is no shortage of competition ahead of Hudson-Odoi, but Chelsea need to be careful of the need to give him ample minutes this season. That being said, it is important that Lampard keeps hold of the exciting young winger amidst Real interest, as he is a long-term valuable asset for the South Londoners.