Callum Hudson-Odoi in action for Chelsea against Brighton.
According to The Independent, Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi is keen to leave Stamford Bridge on loan amidst interest from Premier League rivals Leicester City and Southampton.
The English winger came through the ranks at Cobham and has been among the most promising youngsters to be promoted to the senior side in recent years. However, injuries and a lack of consistency have consistently hampered his progress.
Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic and others have provided huge competition for Hudson-Odoi for a starting spot, largely limiting him to appearances off the bench. At 21, he should be in a position where he can secure playing time on a regular basis.
The arrival of Raheem Sterling adds further competition for a spot on the Chelsea wing. This could directly impact Hudson-Odoi who was left out of the squad that won against Everton in their Premier League opener on Saturday.
Tuchel’s decision casts a pallor on the youngster’s future at the club and the player is keen to address it. A move to Southampton or Leicester will be a step-down but will more or less guarantee him regular playtime.
Armando Broja gained massive brownie points during his spell on loan at St Mary’s last season and Hudson-Odoi could follow in the Albanian’s footsteps. Chelsea are also interested in Leicester City star Wesly Fofana and it remains to be seen if they will use Hudson-Odoi as a sweetener to get the deal over the line.
While Hudson-Odoi’s stance is understandable, it will impact Chelsea’s options adversely. The Blues have sent Romelu Lukaku out on loan to Inter Milan while Timo Werner is close to returning to RB Leipzig.
Ziyech and Pulisic are excellent players but have failed to reach the expectations set for them at Stamford Bridge. Should Hudson-Odoi be allowed to leave, Tuchel could find himself short of depth if no replacements are brought in.
The 21-year-old is also attracting interest from abroad with German giants Borussia Dortmund keeping close tabs. Whether the Chelsea star will stay in England or move abroad remains to be seen.
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