Chelsea vs Arsenal Callum Hudson-Odoi Chelsea EPL
Callum Hudson-Odoi Chelsea

Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi has been more or less a constant figure in the starting line-up for the Blues under their new manager Thomas Tuchel but this weekend, things were a bit different for the youngster.

The Blues drew their latest Premier League game vs Southampton and Callum Hudson-Odoi started this particular match on the bench. The youngster did come on for Tammy Abraham at the start of the second half only to be taken off 15 minutes before time.

Many thought the manager chose to bring on Hakim Ziyech in place of Hudson-Odoi since he was not too happy with the youngster’s performance and speaking this week, Tuchel explained why he chose to take off the 20-year-old.

‘It is not a big thing at all for me,’ said Tuchel about the decision to take off Hudson-Odoi. ‘I have spoken to Callum, and I’ve spoken to the whole group. Sometimes, these things happen in football and it was just my decision.

‘Maybe I was being harsh on him because he was on my side of the pitch and I was up close to him, but I did not feel that he was really into the game. I didn’t think he was totally sharp and that is why I took a hard decision on him. But that decision was in the moment and for that day only.

‘For me, this is absolutely not a big thing and only becomes one if people want to talk about it.

‘Callum has been fantastic for me so far and it’s on him to show me that every game and every day in training. I want him to show me that he is a reliable guy for the team when he comes on from the bench, like he is when he starts.

‘He has started a lot of games for me and in this instance, he has taken a hard decision. Now he must swallow it and come into training ready to work ahead of Atletico, a game which he has every chance of starting.’

Callum Hudson-Odoi has seen a lot of game time under Thomas Tuchel over the past few weeks and we are pretty sure that one game will not demolish the trust that the youngster has managed to build.

Chelsea take on Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday and the Englishman will undoubtedly be named in the first XI.

Tuchel has been playing a 3-4-2-1 system at Chelsea so Callum Hudson-Odoi will once again have to play as the ring wing-back. The return of the 20-year-old will mean that full-back Reece James will move back to the bench against Simeone’s side.

Read: Tuchel full of praise for this Chelsea duo before their UCL game vs Atletico Madrid.

Read: Chelsea receive a double injury boost before their Champions League fixture against Atletico.