Hudson-Odoi urged to take his chance

Frank Lampard has urged Callum Hudson-Odoi to take his chance to impress in Chelsea’s Carabao Cup tie against Barnsley.

Hudson-Odoi will play in Wednesday’s game – and needs to make a statement given the competition he now faces for a place.


“We have Christian Pulisic injured and Hakim Ziyech injured,’ said boss Lampard.

“We played Timo Werner out wide the other day, but the absolute natural winger who is fit is Callum.

“We need competition in those areas, back-ups in those areas and players competing to make the position their own.

“That’s where Callum is at and that’s why I keep saying he needs to train. He needs to show in training every day and when he gets his opportunity in games, which he will have in this game because he will play against Barnsley.

“He has to show in every minute, on and off the ball, what he can do for the team. That’s the position Callum is at.

“He’s had an early breakthrough in his career because of his talent, he’s had an injury and now I want to see him flourish again.”

With the arrivals of Ziyech and Havertz, and with Pulisic having been outstanding at times last season, Hudson-Odoi could find first-team chances limited.

There is speculation that he could therefore leave Chelsea on loan before next month’s transfer deadline.

And Lampard said: “I have an idea of what I want.

“I want to have healthy competition but not to have so many players not competing regularly, feeling like they are out of the squad and not getting the minutes they want.”