Chelsea player Callum Hudson-Odoi has held discussions with England manager Gareth Southgate about his international future.
Blues attacker Hudson-Odoi, 20, has turned down recent call-ups to England’s Under-21s squad. However, the £120,000-a-week winger is not holding the Three Lions to ransom.
According to The Sun, Hudson-Odoi has informed national team manager Southgate that he’s not playing games over a potential internatonal switch.
It is understood African giants Ghana hope to try tempt the youngster to play for them. He’s earned three senior caps for England, but can still swap his international allegiance.
The report states Chelsea’s academy graduate has had “clear-the-air talks” with the English FA, claiming his sole focus is on trying to become a key player at Stamford Bridge right now.
Is Hudson-Odoi a future England player?
It’s a risky tactic for Hudson-Odoi to turn down international opportunities, albeit it’s with the Under-21s squad right now rather than with the seniors.
The winger hasn’t played for England’s men’s team since 2019 and the competition within Southgate’s squad is extremely tough. For instance, the likes of Raheem Sterling, Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish are wide players in the current group.
Hudson-Odoi can definitely put on an England shirt again, especially when you consider he’s still only 20. It feels like he’s older because he’s been around a while, but the best is yet to come from him.
He’s correct that he needs to focus on playing regularly for his club.
Hudson-Odoi needs more one-on-one situations
For Hudson-Odoi, he’s at his best when he’s squaring a full-back up and running at them with speed one-on-one.
Southampton and ex-Blues full-back Tino Livramento recently highlighted how hard he is to defend against.
He needs to take confidence from training onto the pitch.
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