Chelsea: Leroy Sane’s injury could prolong Hudson-Odoi uncertainty

Leroy Sane left the Community Shield in the 14′ with a knee injury. If this affects Bayern Munich’s pursuit of Sane, Chelsea have to be ready to fend off another offer for Callum Hudson-Odoi… or not.

I’m no fan of Pep Guardiola, but at least we can say this: unlike his nicotine-riddled devotee, when one of Guardiola’s players goes down with an injury within the first 15 minutes of a meaningless game, it’s a contact injury. While Chelsea continue dealing with the sequelae of N’Golo Kante’s short appearance against Watford three months ago today, Leroy Sane’s injury compounds another headache: Callum Hudson-Odoi’s still unsigned contract extension.

My colleague Travis amply laid out why Chelsea have to act decisively if Hudson-Odoi will not. Please read his article after this one, but we can summarize the necessary ultimatum thusly: s**t or get off the loo.

Among the several persistent ironies in the Hudson-Odoi situation is the role Bayern Munich played in him having the slightest desire to remain a Blue. Munich’s interest in Hudson-Odoi in January forced Maurizio Sarri (via various executives) to give Hudson-Odoi playing time proportional to his talent rather than his age. Hudson-Odoi’s first half of the season had him wondering about a future elsewhere, and Bayern Munich jumped with both feet and £30-40 million into the conversation as that elsewhere. If not for the direct involvement of Chelsea’s higher management, Hudson-Odoi would already be at Bayern Munich for the exact same reason Moise Kean is now at Everton.

Regrettably, Hudson-Odoi’s reasons for hemming about his future at Stamford Bridge have degraded since January. We can only imagine his response to hearing that Willian No. 10 jerseys are now available at the megastore.

Callum Hudson-Odoi’s injury appeared to quash any lingering chance of Hudson-Odoi leaving Chelsea. Bayern Munich fully shifted their attention to Leroy Sane by May, while rumours of a five-year extension cropped up within days of Hudson-Odoi beginning his rehabilitation.

Now, in another one of those ironies, another injury could swing things back in the other direction.

Hudson-Odoi is still at least a month away from playing, and more from being a regular starter. But depending on the severity of Leroy Sane’s injury, Hudson-Odoi may be in a starting XI before the German. The question, then, as ever, is: Whose XI?

Bayern Munich will be waiting for any news from Manchester City’s sports medicine staff as anxiously as City fans (assuming City fans, such as they are, bear any actual emotions towards their team). If the news out of Manchester in the coming days is of a prolonged absence for Sane, Bayern Munich may go back to their original target. Who they pursue may come down to who will be ready to contribute first.

The Bundesliga’s transfer window closes on September 2, so they have a lot of time (in footballing terms) to monitor these two wingers and make an offer. Hudson-Odoi and Sane may be watching each other, as well, trying to gauge whether Bayern Munich will come through with a better offer than whatever their respective clubs have already put forth.

Both players supposedly have extensions at their current clubs awaiting their signature. Either or both could put an end to Bayern Munich’s hopes and their fans’ fears with the stroke of a pen.

If Callum Hudson-Odoi’s short- to middle-term prognosis is brighter than Leroy Sane’s, everyone involved can be pretty sure what Bayern Munich will do. There’s not much more Chelsea can do than sit back and let things play out. Bayern Munich and Chelsea keep playing the ball toHudson-Odoi’s feet – only he can decide who he will play it back to.

Frank Lampard said he only wanted players who want to be at the club. Leroy Sane’s injury gives Hudson-Odoi, via Bayern Munich, another chance to test the strength of Lampard’s statement. That is a notable statement in itself.