Chelsea youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi has reaffirmed his commitment to the club. The youngster recently penned a new five-year deal with the West London outfit. He was heavily linked with a move to German giants Bayern Munich during the January transfer window and even reportedly handed in a transfer request in order to try and make the transfer happen. In the end, Chelsea ended up declining the advances of the Bavarian giants and Hudson-Odoi stayed put at his boyhood club.
“The club have done so much for me and I’m so thankful for that,” he told BBC Sport.
“The decision that I made was a very good one for me and my family. We all thought that it was the right club to be at.
“I’ve been here all my life, so there’s no need to change yet. My mum and dad are happy where they are and I’m happy where I am.”
Chelsea’s treatment of young talent has improved
Normally trying to force a move away from a club would be seen as betrayal, especially if it comes from a homegrown talent. However, in the race of Hudson-Odoi, he can be forgiven for trying to force a move away from the Bridge. Given the circumstances at the time, one could even argue that trying to force a move to Germany was the rational thing to do.
The Blues had a very poor reputation in terms of dealing with young talent. That has changed since Frank Lampard was appointed as manager of the club last summer. The Chelsea club legend is fond of youth and has so far unearthed three future stars in Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount.
Hudson-Odoi was already unearthed last season and so everyone knows that he is capable of becoming one of the best English talents with time and development. Hudson-Odoi cold truly establish himself as a Blues star this season and it will be exciting to watch him as the season progresses. He has certainly been promising since returning from long-term injury as he has gone on to register one goal and three assists from four games.
If Hudson-Odoi maintains his current level of form, the Blues could potentially attain a top four finish which would make this season a success for them.
