Callum Hudson-Odoi has featured 10 times under Maurizio Sarri in all competitions. While this is not enough for some fans and perhaps Hudson-Odoi himself, the case for him to remain at Chelsea is still stronger.
Callum Hudson-Odoi was on the score sheet as Chelsea defeated Sheffield Wednesday on to progress to the fifth round of FA Cup. But the talk of the town was whether it was his last goal for the club after he reportedly handed in a transfer request. With mere days remaining in the transfer window, anything could happen.
The fans are divided on the subject. Hudson-Odoi’s case is part of the long-running issue that has followed Chelsea regarding the integration of youth into the senior team.
Hudson-Odoi is the player he is right now because of Chelsea. The club has invested in him heavily. So it is normal the club expects some loyalty from his part. Unlike some other players, he never went AWOL or tried to show his frustrations online. He was there training and doing what his manager asked of him.
He has been unlucky with game time. The first half of the season was frustrating especially when the players ahead of him in the pecking order were not in any great form. He was overlooked in the Europa League until Chelsea had their dead rubber. Nor was he used much during the festive period as well. Those things are bound to make any youngster frustrated.
The club’s history does not give him much hope either. Chelsea is not known to using youngsters much on the first team. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, even after making England’s World Cup squad, was only used properly after 2-3 months into the season. Maurizio Sarri is also not known for using his squad properly. Looking into next season, the arrival of Christian Pulisic as a big money signing in the summer is not an exciting prospect for a youngster hoping to get a chance at the club. Hudson-Odoi’s recent chances only came after Bayern Munich’s interest become known.
But with Willian and Pedro in their 30s and Eden Hazard’s future unclear, all is not lost for Hudson-Odoi. Even though he is only 18, the success of fellow English youngsters Jadon Sancho and Reiss Nelson in the Bundesliga show the possibilities for having a great time elsewhere at this age.
However, for every Jadon Sancho, there is a Dominic Solanke and Dale Jennings who failed after moving to other big clubs. Jennings was signed by Bayern, incidentally, and never made it past their reserve team.
That Chelsea has offered Odoi £85,000 per week – more than what even Christian Eriksen makes at Tottenham – shows they are serious about him. It is too early to be impatient as he was promoted to the first team under Maurizio Sarri only six months ago. The timing of his transfer request was not ideal either, so close to the closing date.
Bayern Munich, who complains when other clubs talk about their players, are openly talking about Callum Hudson-Odoi and are trying for him even after Chelsea rejected their advances. As per latest reports, Chelsea has rejected the transfer request and are hopeful he will stay with them beyond this season.
The club and the fans love him, and in the long run everyone will be better off if he stays and succeeds at his childhood club.