Frank Lampard says that it was hard to inform Callum Hudson-Odoi that he would be benched against Tottenham
Speaking on in his pre-match press conference (h/t Daily Mail) on Tuesday before the match against Sevilla, Frank Lampard discussed the future of Callum Hudson-Odoi at Chelsea and explained that it was ‘difficult’ to bench him against Tottenham Hotspur.
Callum Hudson-Odoi had impressed since the start of the season and grabbed the opening goal against French club Stade Rennais last week in a UEFA Champions League encounter.
However, the 20-year-old youngster was the surprise exclusion when Chelsea’s matchday squad against Tottenham Hotspur was released.
Chelsea drew 0-0 against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge to remain third on the table. Hudson-Odoi was also left out of the matchday eighteen against Manchester United in the Premier League on matchday six, which was another high profile encounter for Chelsea that finished 0-0.
The call to bench Callum Hudson-Odoi against Spurs was apparently due to the return of American winger Christian Pulisic from injury.
Speaking about the decision to bench the youngster against Spurs, Lampard revealed that it was difficult to inform Hudson-Odoi that he would be benched, considering his good form and attitude.
“It was difficult to tell him that he wasn’t in the Spurs squad as his attitude has been bang on. He was bright against Rennes and Newcastle. He is getting better and is back in contention and I want him to keep that going. I want him to stay positive… He took it well but it wasn’t an easy conversation.”
Lampard mentioned the youngster’s resilience to come back from an injury so early on his career and said that he believes Hudson-Odoi has a bright future at Chelsea due to his quick development. (h/t Daily Mail)
“He got into the team and there was a lot of talk around him and he got a bad injury. Now time and work have shown that he’s back and then you have to appreciate he is developing. I have to see the bigger picture and he is hopefully going to have hundreds of games ahead of him. “
Chelsea face Sevilla on matchday 5 of the UEFA Champions League group stages on Wednesday, and Callum Hudson-Odoi would be hoping that Lampard rotates the squad to include him in the starting XI.
