Thomas Tuchel has been hurried into resolving the future of Callum Hudson-Odoi this summer following the transfer of Raheem Sterling. The Cobham graduate has been thinly linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge in recent years, though a move has never materialised.
Hudson-Odoi, who sees his current deal with the Blues expire in 2024, has started just 18 times in the Premier League since Tuchel took over from Frank Lampard. And, while numerous injuries have hampered the 21-year-old's pathway into the first-team, he's still struggled to fend off competition from the likes of Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount and Hakim Ziyech, among others too.
Now, with Sterling at Tuchel's disposal, the Chelsea boss has been encouraged to solve Hudson-Odoi's future otherwise Todd Boehly could rue his decision and see the club trying to sign the winger back in a few years time. Speaking to Bettingodds.com, Glen Johnson spoke on the crossroads that is ahead.
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"He has spells where he looks unplayable and then he has days where it looks like he shouldn’t be playing in the Premier League," the former Chelsea defender said of Hudson-Odoi. "If he gets his head straight then I think he’s got a lot to offer but I think his days at Chelsea are over to be honest.
"He’s still young but for me he’s got a lot to learn. He needs to play football every week so to go somewhere like Newcastle where he’s being taken out of his comfort zone to focus on his football. Maybe Newcastle will get the best out of him."
Johnson added by suggesting that Chelsea should consider sending Hudson-Odoi on loan. He said: "A loan move would possibly work if he goes somewhere to play every week.
"He’s got a lot to offer so Chelsea won’t want to give him up easily - that could be another one of those signings where they let him go and try and buy him back again for £100million in two years’ time. To let him go on a year’s loan, or even two years, to let him learn his trade where he’s playing every single week and then call him back is better than technically throwing everything away."
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