Following Chelsea’s routine victory over Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup, all the talk was about the future of an 18-year-old yet to start a Premier League game. Callum Hudson-Odoi is perhaps the highest regarded talent to come out of the academy over the past 15 years.
The winger has impressed at all age levels, and has shown during his few appearances this season that he’s going to be one of the top talents in years to come. Like all youngsters, he’s not quite ready, but of course, there’s a fear that his development could be halted by a lack of game time.
His pathway, as claimed by some, is blocked by the current first teamers Hazard, Willian and Pedro. And Chelsea have already signed Christian Pusilic from Dortmund for next season.
Hudson-Odoi has seen players his age making the move to Germany and playing regular first team football. The likes of Jordan Sancho have also caught the eye of England manager Gareth Southgate and made their international debut.
Right now, Hudson-Odoi needs to decide whether to stick or twist. And following his transfer request, it seems that he’s decided to twist.
However, Hudson-Odoi just needs a little bit of patience and he’ll find himself in the middle of a perfect storm. Both Willian and Pedro are over 30 now and won’t receive lengthy contracts and may look elsewhere. And there’s no certainty about Eden Hazard’s future at Stamford Bridge.
Hudson-Odoi still has 18 months left on his contract. The club don’t really need £40m, they need an academy player to make it. They’ve told Hudson-Odoi that he’s a big part of the clubs future. What they need to do now is prove it.
Don’t sell now. Leave the contract offer open. Use the next 5 months to prove to Hudson-Odoi that what they say is true. Then in the summer, if he still wants to move on, let him go and sign a replacement.
But the plan would be, that Hudson-Odoi sees that his pathway is not blocked and that we do believe that this boy really can make it. That will convince him to stay and sign what is a truly remarkable contract offer for someone of such a young age.
We want you to stay, we want you to stay, Hudson-Odoi, we want you to stay.
