Chelsea starlet Callum Hudson-Odoi has, on Saturday, provided an insight into the central role played by a fellow member of the Blues’ squad in convincing him to depart the club on loan this summer.
Wide-man Hudson-Odoi, on the books in west London for a full 15 years now, is currently in the midst of a first-ever stint lining out for another club.
After stringing together just 11 Premier League starts under the watch of Thomas Tuchel last season, the decision was made that the England international’s development would be best served with weekly game-time in one of Europe’s top-5 leagues.
Hudson-Odoi, in turn, made the move to Germany, linking up with Bayer Leverkusen for the 2022/23 campaign.
And he has since gone on to notch a pair of Bundesliga starts, with an assist to the 21-year-old’s name, too.
UEFA Champions League, BayArena Leverkusen, Bayer Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid; Callum Hudson-Odoi UEFA Champions League, BayArena Leverkusen, Bayer Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid; Callum Hudson-Odoi (Alamy Stock Photo)
And now, as alluded to above, Hudson-Odoi has provided an interesting insight into one of the key factors in his BayArena switch coming to fruition in the first place.
This of course comes after Havertz made a name for himself as one of world football’s finest young talents whilst lining out in the colours of Leverkusen.
“Kai [Havertz] had only great things to say,” Hudson-Odoi explained. “I developed really well here, they pushed me on, they made me a better player, who I am today’.”
“He [Havertz] was urging me to come: ‘Go and develop yourself, go and be you, be free. We know what you can do. Just go and show it consistently’.”
EXCL: Callum Hudson-Odoi speaks out on feeling welcome and appreciated again on loan at Bayer Leverkusen | @draper_rob https://t.co/aeY3tAaeKp
— Mail Sport (@MailSport) September 17, 2022
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