Callum Hudson-Odoi has been omitted from the latest standings, which rank Europe's best performing under-21 outfield players, handing the 20-year-old a damning wake up call. The International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) factored performance compared to teammates, pedigree of opposition and game time into their findings from across 32 leagues.
Bukayo Saka was crowned as Europe's leading youngster so far this season, ahead of fellow Arsenal teammate Gabriel Martinelli. With Hudson-Odoi left out, Chelsea were represented by Armando Broja, Billy Gilmour and Levi Colwill, who ranked 13th, 49th and 88th retrospectively.
Former Cobham graduates Tino Livramento and Jamal Musiala also qualified for the 100-man shortlist, continuing to rub salt in the wounds of the west London side. Hudson-Odoi, who Eurosport claim once warranted a £70m fee from Bayern Munich, would've spearheaded a similar list not too long ago; the winger's hiatus should ignite a new chapter in his career which launches him back into the spotlight.
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The acclaimed England youth international has featured just 15 times in the Premier League this season, directly contributing towards fours goals from a hatful of positions. Despite having looked as if he'd rejuvenated himself at times under Thomas Tuchel, Hudson-Odoi's struggled to take the next step forward in his career as Saka has done.
Chelsea's number 20 was regarded as the benchmark for England's next generation of talent. It was always a three-horse race — between Hudson-Odoi, Saka and Jadon Sancho — for golden boy status, but the former hasn't enjoyed nearly as much game time and thus trailed.
The Cobham graduate, who was once given Eden Hazard's blessing to succeed him at Stamford Bridge, has only ever played more than 1,000 minutes in a domestic top-flight season once. Saka and Sancho have already done so this season, each often enjoying at least 2,000 minutes a league campaign at a time.
Hudson-Odoi still has the tools in his locker to claw back a fruitful career at Chelsea, but his omission from the conversation, which discusses Europe's leading talent, should pose a warning. While Hazard's heir has suffered various unfortunate injuries, he isn't yet crowned with crucial first-team starter status.
Speaking to Sky Sports in 2019, the Belgian labelled Hudson-Odoi as the future of Chelsea. He vowed that the winger is more than ready to grasp the opportunity.
"He's the future of Chelsea," he began. "I've told him already. He's still young, but when you see him, he looks like he's played ten years.
"He's got quality, sometimes, I understand it's hard to get young players in the team, but when he has the chance to play, they have to show they're ready, and Callum is showing that right now. He wants to learn, and he's young, so I hope Chelsea can keep him for a long time."
