Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi has enjoyed some halcyon days since breaking into the first team back in January 2018, so much so that his performances piqued the attention of Bayern Munich.
However, the 20-year-old may now be at a crunch moment in his career, even in its early stages.
Hudson-Odoi produced some dazzling performances during the Blues’ run to Europa League success during his breakthrough season, and the teenager was quickly billed as a future star.
The fleet-of-foot winger was promoted to the senior England squad from the under-21 ranks in March 2019 despite never starting a Premier League game, making his debut days later against Czech Republic in the Euro 2020 qualifiers.
As if rises to prominence couldn’t get better, Hudson-Odoi then became the youngest player to start a competitive game for England, when at 18 he lined up against Montenegro.
Unfortunately, the teenager ruptured his Achilles tendon in April 2019, an injury with which he recently admitted he still struggles.
That injury lay-off, combined with the spate of expensive arrivals at Stamford Bridge this summer, have left the London-born winger left out in the cold somewhat in recent times.
New signings Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech in particular have stolen Hudson-Odoi’s thunder this term, meaning the England man has played just 154 minutes in the Premier League, scoring once.
Bayern remain interested, although Frank Lampard remains reluctant to sell one of his most talented youngsters, despite being unable to offer assurances of regular first team football at Stamford Bridge.
So where does Hudson-Odoi turn next…
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Despite his obvious talent, Hudson-Odoi’s future at Chelsea suddenly seems an uncertain one. With Ziyech and Werner adapting so well to life in west London, as well as Christian Pulisic’s form prior to his own injury, it looks a difficult task for the English youngster to earn a regular starting spot for the Blues.
The question remains whether a return to his best can oust the current occupiers of the forward positions and, if not, whether he would then need to move on.
Although current Champions League holders Bayern don’t represent an easy opportunity to obtain desired football, their pursuit would suggest they see him as a firm part of the plans.
From a Chelsea point of view, it seems unlikely the club would allow a player who burst onto the scene to leave without a fight.
However, from the current standpoint, it may be best for all parties to allow Hudson-Odoi to leave sooner rather than later, perhaps only on a temporary basis in order to play and return to his best form.
