Marina Granovskaia's brave £70m transfer decision proved right during Chelsea's win
vs Juventus
There was an outpouring of emotion inside Stamford Bridge the moment Callum Hudson-Odoi's
composed finish hit the back of the Juventus net. The 21-year-old ran to the corner flag,
face screwed up in joy. Thomas Tuchel was on the pitch, knees bent and fists clenched.
And the Chelsea supporters in the stands jumped around wildly in jubilation.
Nights such as these, performances such as these, are long remembered by players, coaches,
and fans alike. "I’m really proud of the team, we came out really strong," Hudson-Odoi
told the Blues' official website after the Champions League group stage game, which ended
4-0 in Chelsea's favour.
"I think we did really well. We came out with the right mentality and the determination
to win the game. We showed the passion and the desire to be clinical in front of goal,
but also defend really well as well, which we did."
Hudson-Odoi started on the left of the Chelsea attack. In months past, that would've been
reason enough for celebration among the club's fanbase. Now, though, it is an expectation.
The 21-year-old has been named in the starting XI for the last seven fixtures in all competitions.
It is his longest run in the Chelsea side, something few would've anticipated when he
made his debut under Antonio Conte in January 2018.
Hudson-Odoi's reputation at Chelsea has long proceeded him. At youth level, he was cut
above, an attacker capable of winning games alone. His transition into the senior side
during Maurizio Sarri's season in charge was smooth too. Then came that Achilles injury
against Burnley in April 2019.
It sidelined Hudson-Odoi for six months but the reality is that it took him the best part
of two years to fully recover. Only when he returned for pre-season training this summer
that those around Chelsea felt his burst of acceleration from a standing start had returned.
Still, minutes were limited under Thomas Tuchel, who has something of a complicated
relationship with the winger. The Chelsea head coach has no doubts about Hudson-Odoi's
quality and has praised his character more than once. However, he has demanded a greater
work ethic in training from the academy graduate day in, day out at Cobham.
This desire to push Hudson-Odoi, to maximize his potential, is understood to be partly
why Tuchel put the brakes on a potential loan move to Borussia Dortmund in the summer. Not
only did he want the winger to remain in his squad, but he wanted to keep a watchful eye
over his development in close quarters.
"We built our squad and Callum was a piece in that puzzle. He thought maybe it was a
tough one to get minutes, it may be easier in another club," Tuchel said earlier this
month.
"You can never be sure it’s like this. I told him straight when he asked for it that
it was not possible, that we rely on him and he accepts his role."
The Chelsea head coach added: "Now it is all about consistency, that he stays hungry and
keeps on going and progressing and that he enjoys the moment but at the same time is
aware of what it takes in the team. It looks good at the moment.”
In his last seven games, Hudson-Odoi has scored twice and claimed an assist. He also played
the vital cross which led to Reece James' opener against Newcastle United. He has registered
30 shot-creating actions in that period, all bar one of which has come in open play. He
is having an impact.
What was notable against Juventus, however, was his work against the ball. He attempted
four tackles, all of which were in the attacking third, and won three (figures well above his
season's average). He was also successful in 57.1% of the pressures he attempted, the
most of any Chelsea player that started.