Chelsea are currently in a position where a surprise name has just become indispensable.
Callum Hudson-Odoi, who’s only got four Premier League starts all season, has to be in any Blues XI that manager Thomas Tuchel puts out right now.
With injuries at Chelsea opening the door for others, 20-year-old Hudson-Odoi has grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
The club’s academy graduate is getting opportunities to shine in his favoured attacking position, albeit he can cover well at wing-back, too.
Chelsea youngster a real spark in attack
Hudson-Odoi has answered the call in response to the injury absences of Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner.
The speedster has looked like making things happening whenever he’s on the ball.
He impressed in the weekend’s 3-0 league win against Newcastle United, playing an important role in the build up to the opening goal.
In addition, he scored his first league goal of the season in the 7-0 win over Norwich City recently. He terrorised the opposition on that day with his skill and directness.
Also, he came off the bench a couple of weeks ago in the Champions League against tonight’s opponents Malmo to provide an assist.
Hudson-Odoi’s challenge is to keep this up
Hudson-Odoi can stick in the XI if his form continues.
There is a chance to make an attacking spot his own given the state of the squad and he’s got to keep up momentum.
Not everything he does pays off because of the high risk in his dribbling, but he’s getting the fans off their seats and asking questions of opposition defences.
Chelsea have so often lacked dynamism in the final third, but he’s bringing something extra right now. Tuchel needs to stick with him right now.
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