Having lost three out of their last four games, Chelsea are certainly struggling at the moment. Now languishing in 8th place, the Blues need to pick up their form, and quickly. And, with Hakim Ziyech still out, if anyone can provide the spark that Chelsea so desperately need, it will be Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Chelsea Youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi to Have Massive Impact
Natural Winger
As simple as it sounds, one of the main reasons Hudson-Odoi could change the team drastically is because he is a winger. Not Timo Werner, not Kai Havertz, but a true, authentic winger.
Werner has been struggling lately, and that may have a lot to do with him playing on the wing. Although he is incredibly fast, he does not have the close control or the dribbling ability to be a great winger. He has continued to work hard for the team, but he’s not producing any notable attacking output.
The German is a player who makes runs in behind the defence and finishes clinically, he is not a player to isolate one-on-one against an opposition fullback. In his 45 minutes against Arsenal, he provided absolutely nothing. But that’s where Hudson-Odoi comes in.
Having pace isn’t everything for a winger, and Werner has proved that. However, Hudson-Odoi has everything he needs to excel on the wing for Chelsea. His mesmerizing dribbling, combined with very accurate crossing and a quick turn of pace, could be key to beating Aston Villa on Monday.
With Hudson-Odoi on the right and Christian Pulisic on the left, Chelsea finally have two natural wingers who could both carve open the Villa defence.
Puts Other Chelsea Stars in Preferred Positions
The concern with both Ziyech and Hudson-Odoi picking up hamstring injuries within days of each other was that manager Frank Lampard had nobody to play on the right-wing. Pulisic has filled in, as has Havertz, and as has Werner. But none of them play that role as well as the injured duo do.
Pulisic may be the closest to replicating them, but he is clearly so much more effective on the left, where he can cut in on his right foot.
Granted, Hudson-Odoi is also right-footed, but his game is more about isolating opponents, beating them one-on-one, and putting in a good cross. Conversely, Pulisic comes into the middle to link up with the striker more, as well as taking more shots on goal.
Werner can also now move to the middle, where he’s at his best. A trio of Werner, Pulisic, and Hudson-Odoi could work wonders against Villa, although Tammy Abraham will likely start in the German’s place.
Regardless of who starts up top, the three attackers could cause the opposition many problems, and Callum Hudson-Odoi’s return could be the key for Chelsea to get back to winning ways.
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