Callum-Hudson Odoi scored the opener when Chelsea visited Rennes in the Champions League group stage last Tuesday. Hudson-Odoi managed to be the opportunist of a beautiful pass from Mason Mount in the 22nd minute. Chelsea ended up winning 2-1, paving the way for the Blues to the knockout stages despite two games remaining.
This goal was a breath of fresh air for Hudson-Odoi’s career, which was experiencing twists and turns. The 20-year-old player performed quite well in the 2018/19 season, recording six goals and seven assists in 29 games, even though he had to end the season early. Hudson-Odoi’s performance fluctuates due to injury. After being sidelined for four months since the end of the 2018/19 season, Hudson-Odoi repeatedly entered the treatment room. Reporting from Transfermarkt, Hudson-Odoi’s total absence last season was up to three months, including when he tested positive for COVID-19.
Apart from being injured, he was also accused of rape in May. Hudson-Odoi had to deal with the police until he was finally found not guilty after undergoing an investigation. After Hudson-Odoi is fit and the case is over, he will have to take on new challenges at Chelsea.
Playing as a wing, Hudson-Odoi must compete with new Chelsea players. Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz and Timo Werner joined Stamford Bridge last summer. Hudson-Odoi’s main position on the right wing looks to be Ziyech’s patent this season. Hudson-Odoi can also play on the left wing, but that position is even more competitive. There are Christian Pulisic, Werner, and even Mason Mount who can play in that position.
So far, Hudson-Odoi has played just once since the first minute in the Premier League, with a note that in the match against Crystal Palace Ziyech and Pulisic were not fit to play from the start. Hudson-Odoi has been a coating player so far. Frank Lampard often played Hudson-Odoi in EFL Cup and Champions League competitions when Chelsea faced much weaker opponents.
It’s not easy to compete with new Chelsea players who are projected for the first team. In addition, there is still Pulisic who performed impressively last season. Hudson-Odoi is in the midst of a frenzy of attacking options that Frank Lampard has.
Faced with this situation, Hudson-Odoi just wanted to maximize every opportunity that Lampard gave him. “I have to take advantage of the opportunities I get when I play. I want to keep scoring goals and assists and work hard for the team, “Hudson-Odoi said in an interview after the match against Rennes.
If you look at quality, some of Hudson-Odoi’s attacking attributes are no better than other Chelsea attackers. Pulisic has the better dribbling and agility than Hudson-Odoi. Regarding creativity, Ziyech and Havertz are still superior. Productivity goals, there is Werner who proved sharp in front of the opponent’s goal.
Hudson-Odoi can still be an asset for Lampard even as a coating player. With a limited total of playing minutes, 509 minutes in all competitions, Hudson-Odoi has scored three goals. From a coach’s perspective, it is important to have reliable coating players, especially with the busy schedule this season due to the pandemic.
He was able to score two goals in two matches when playing from the first minute in the Champions League. Both were fruitful victories for Chelsea. This means that Hudson-Odoi can be relied on when Lampard wants to rest his main players.
Hudson-Odoi’s only goal in the Premier League this season came against West Brom. Chelsea were three goals behind in the first half. To chase the score, Lampard put Hudson-Odoi in place of Mateo Kovacic. at the turn of the half Hudson-Odoi managed to score Chelsea’s second goal of the 3-3 tie.
In addition, he also continues to develop, as stated by Lampard. “I see him constantly improving. I know he played well for England U21s last week, I understand he wants more minutes, but I have competition in that position. If he doesn’t get minutes to play in a period, it doesn’t mean I don’t like him, “said Lampard, quoted from the official Chelsea website.
For now, Hudson-Odoi needs to be patient. Almost certainly he will undergo this season as a coating player. However, if he continues to play well when he gets the opportunity, he can make Lampard dizzy in choosing the main player. Hudson-Odoi can still compete in the midst of competitive Chelsea forwards.
ASL
