Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi has made an honest admission regarding his playing position for the upcoming season.
The 21-year-old has played in a number of positions under Thomas Tuchel, including his natural left wing role, at either side as a wing-back and also as a number 10.
Hudson-Odoi spent much of last season sidelined through various injuries, impacting his development as he made just 15 Premier League appearances.
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His best spell of the season came when Tuchel handed him 10 starts in 11 matches, with Chelsea sitting top of the Premier League going into November before the squad was hampered by injuries.
Hudson-Odoi joined Ben Chilwell and Reece James, suffering with injuries as the Blues’ title challenge was derailed before the New Year.
However, this has not dampened the spirit of the 21-year-old, who is looking forward to earning his spot back in Tuchel’s starting line-up ahead of the new season.
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Speaking on his injuries, he admitted: “It's difficult. When I did my first Achilles injury, we were playing games week-in, week-out and I was enjoying myself playing Europa League quarter-finals.
"There was a big buzz thinking I could be involved in the semis and the final so to then to get hit with an injury like that was really disappointing.
“With this one, it’s one of those things and injuries happen but my main aim for the rest of my career as long as it goes is to stay injury-free as much as possible.
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"I’m trying to do the right things to make sure that I’m 100 per cent and that I can give it my best every game.”
It was not just an admission regarding his plans to stay injury free that Hudson-Odoi made.
The winger continued to discuss his role in Tuchel’s side, admitting that he wants to be playing as regularly as possible but also feature in his preferred role on the left.
“‘I want to be playing as much as possible. Regular football brings out the consistency so I want to just keep playing and playing as much as I can,” he continued to reveal to the Chelsea website.
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“Playing those 10 out of 11 games in my preferred position on the left side was massive for me because that’s where I know I can be at my best and do what I do as much as possible.
“We were winning games, top of the league and everything was going well, so to have an injury like that hits you hard but at the same time it motivates you to come back and return to where you were before.”
However, Hudson-Odoi will have a lot of competition to secure a place in the Chelsea line-up, with Raheem Sterling looking likely to join the squad and compete for a left wing role under Tuchel.
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Furthermore, Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech remain in the squad despite being linked with transfers elsewhere.
Topics: Chelsea, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Football, Premier League, Thomas Tuchel
Nick Emms