Transfer window: Callum Hudson-Odoi set for early Chelsea return
Chelsea are reportedly weighing up whether to recall Callum Hudson-Odoi from his loan spell with Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen.
The 21-year-old fell down the pecking order under former head coach Thomas Tuchel and he was allowed to leave temporarily in search of regular first-team football.
Leverkusen won the race for his signature towards the end of the summer transfer window, and the winger has since made five appearances across all competitions, providing an assist on his Bundesliga debut in a defeat to Freiburg.
READ ALSO:International: Ivory Coast file out against Togo and Guinea
Speaking to Leverkusen’s official website on his arrival at the club last month, Hudson-Odoi said: “The project [is attractive]. I said to the family that I want to go out there and make sure that I’m playing football and get the opportunity to play in front of great fans. It’s massive for me to come here.
“The move to Germany is really exciting for me and I can play in the Champions League with Bayer 04 Leverkusen. That combination is really attractive and I’m keen to get to know the club, the fans and the Bundesliga.”
Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi in action against Club America on July 17, 2022
© Reuters
Hudson-Odoi was keen to leave the Blues to further his career, but he was informed by co-owner Todd Boehly that he still has a future at Stamford Bridge.
“When a club is trying to get a player on loan, they always want that option to buy at the end of the season,” the Englishman told reporters via the Daily Mail.
“Todd was saying: ‘Listen, we want you back here. You’re still on the radar of being wanted by the club.'”
According to Bild, new head coach Graham Potter is an admirer of Hudson-Odoi and Chelsea will consider activating the recall clause in the winger’s loan deal.
Hudson-Odoi was used on several occasions as a wing-back under Tuchel, and a potential return to Chelsea could see the Englishman operate in a similar role under Potter if he decides to stick with the three-at-the-back system that he used at Brighton & Hove Albion.
READ ALSO:EPL: It’s unfair to criticise Maguire, says Tottenham striker Kane
Born in South London, Hudson-Odoi joined the Blues as a seven-year-old back in 2007 and worked his way through the youth ranks before making his professional debut in January 2018.
The versatile winger has made a total 126 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions, scoring 16 goals and registering 22 assists, and he is under contract at Stamford Bridge until June 2024.
Chelsea spent in excess of £250m on nine new players over the summer, but Boehly is set to provide more funds for Potter ahead of the net two transfer windows.
A recent report claims that the Blues are weighing up a potential swap deal involving Romelu Lukaku – who is currently on loan at Inter Milan – and Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, who is hugely admired by Potter.
RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol is also believed to be a target for the West Londoners, and the 20-year-old recently refused to rule out the prospect of moving to Stamford Bridge in the future.