Callum Hudson-Odoi looks to seize his big moment as Chelsea youngster talks about “roller coaster” 18 months

BY PAUL LAGAN AND ANDREW MCSTEEN
paul@slpmedia.co.uk

Callum Hudson-Odoi is hoping to take advantage of the possible absence of Kai Havertz, who tested positive for Covid-19, and injured Christian Pulisic to show he is worth a starting place at Chelsea.

The South Londoner is hoping to make Frank Lampard’s starting 11 as the Blues travel to Newcastle on Saturday with the Premier League resuming after the international break.

Hudson-Odoi turned down a lucrative move to German outfit Bayern Munich to stay at SW6.

He admits the last 18 months have not been great but is now fit and raring to go.

“It has been a roller coaster, up and down, up and down,” said the 20-year-old after starring for England U21s in their 5-0 rout of Albania in midweek.

“I want to make sure I am training every day. Working my hardest, trying to get in the team and working my way back to the senior team in the England set up.

“The last 18 months I have enjoyed bits, and not enjoyed bits.

“You train hard at Chelsea every day the managers are always looking and you want to always prove a point that you are ready when called upon.

“I want to score, assist, work hard for the team and improve myself and to prove a point as well. I have the right people behind me giving me the right instructions and keeping me grounded.

“The managers have always told me to be more confident in what I do. Get goals, be a threat, that is the main thing everyone is looking at as an attacking player. You need goals to help the team.

“I am only 20. Sometimes people forget the age, because I have been around for a bit. I started young. I have kicked on well, and I can keep progressing.

“I put pressure on myself. I want to prove myself every time, do my best every game. Sometimes there is a lot of expectation and you just have to play your normal game, and the result will go your way. I just say to myself ‘keep being positive’.

“Things might go wrong but be positive, and hope the result will be good.”

Chelsea’s kids crashed out of the EFL Trophy after losing 4-3 to Bristol Rovers on Wednesday night.

The Blues went 3-1 down with Tino Anjorin scoring before strikes from Marcel Lewis and Henry Lawrence levelled. But Rovers grabbed a last-minute winner to deny the Blues a chance to progress.

Chelsea women have won their Conti Cup group despite not playing their final match.

Wednesday night’s game against London City Lionesses at Dartford FC was called off 90 minutes before kick-off after two home players and a staff member tested positive for Covid-19.

Arsenal drew 2-2 with Spurs in the other match but won the penalty shoot-out. But they finish with five points in total, one behind the Blues who had already beaten both sides.

Chelsea players head into an international break before returning to face West Ham United in the WSL on December 6.

Fran Kirby resumed training with the players today after injuring her ankle while on England training camp duty. She has missed the Blues’ last two matches.