Into the depths part 5: Chelsea’s forwards fluid and eventually frustrated

6. Callum Hudson-Odoi

Now, if the competition for that last forward spot is intense, just wait until Hudson-Odoi is added into it. One of the main reasons why it is good that the English winger plays wingback is because he avoids the pitfalls that Ziyech and Pulisic are looking at. But, he is an attacking player by trade so there will be times where he lines up as a forward.

Dortmund had wanted him to do so for them but Tuchel and the club denied the opportunity. Now, Hudson-Odoi sits, at best, the sixth choice for two forward spots and worse if the strikers get wrapped into the conversation. At wingback he’s third choice on both flanks. It’s truly a head scratcher as to why the loan was seen as a potentially worse situation for the player or club.

Chelsea will be hoping that Hudson-Odoi can stay motivated with so few apparent opportunities.

From the academy: Harvey Vale

Given the battle in the first team is already a royale, it’s unlikely too many youth get a shot this season. If any do, it seems pretty clear that it will be Vale.

Vale has been a mainstay for the academy and for country for a few seasons now. Still just 17, perhaps the most impressive thing about him is his eye for goal and setting them up. Last season he managed seven goals and 11 assists in 28 appearances, a very solid return for a wide player. This season, he already has three goals and an assist in four appearances. He’ll have his eye on some first team training and maybe even a bench appearance in the cups. From there, it’ll be very interesting to see how much higher he goes.

On loan: Tino Anjorin

After Billy Gilmour, Anjorin looked like the next player to breakthrough. Injuries set him back often, however, and by the time Tuchel arrived the situation had changed. Still very highly rated by Chelsea, he has been loaned to Ralf Rangnick’s (as the sporting director) Lokomotiv Moscow. Tuchel is very much a part of Rangnick’s tree and Rangnick was one of the managers tipped to follow Lampard last season. It may seem a strange move, but Anjorin will get a chance to move past his injury issues.

The club clearly trusts him already, having unretired the 10 for him and having a buy clause they already seem keen to activate. Chelsea has a buyback attached which also shows their evaluation of the player. If he can find his feet, he may just return to Chelsea as a much needed player.

What do you think of the depth for the forwards? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!