Cal’s Challenge
An analysis of the performance of Callum Hudson-Odoi in the 7–0 win over Norwich. His Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel, still sees room for improvement and consistency.
There has been a lot of frustration at the treatment of Callum Hudson Odoi during the Thomas Tuchel era at Chelsea.
Having appeared in only 3 of the Blues’ 9 Premier League matches thus far, and 8 of 15 in the season total, many supporters have bemoaned his lack of playing time as unfair. Large portions of that time have also been spent out of position at right wing-back.
The tough love is not unintentional; just ask Tuchel himself, who commented on his management of Hudson-Odoi, following Chelsea’s 7–0 win over Norwich, a showing in which the young winger was noticeable and productive.
“These guys who are so full of quality hear sometimes a bit too often how good they are, but you need to prove it, to show it, and for the offensive guys it is easy — just read statistics and deliver assists and goals.
“This is what he does and what he needs to show. This is the highest level in England, in Europe, so we are hopefully not unfair but we are tough on him, because it’s not enough with this talent just to be a part of the group.”
The expectations have certainly been raised for Hudson-Odoi. Flashes of ability won’t cut it for a team in the upper echelons of football competition; his actions and performance over the long-term must demonstrate he deserves it.
Tuchel cheekily teased the 20-year-old in the summer that there was “no more hiding. Hiding is over.” And that theme continued more seriously (though also exaggeratedly) as he insisted prior to the Norwich game that Hudson-Odoi “needs to play the next 250 games on the highest level” to prove his ability and consistency.
Speaking after the win, Hudson-Odoi noted that the message from his boss was clear.
“It was just to keep putting in the intensity, keep working hard and going forward and being direct — to be myself”, he explained. “Try and create as many opportunities as possible, try and score. Be decisive in the box.”
As in prevous games there was an obvious tactical pattern, attempting to place the winger in situations out wide on the left. From those areas, the idea was that he would be able to use his dribbling and pace to create openings up against defenders one-on-one.
However, it didn’t quite start out that way.
Found in transition 3 minutes in, for example, notice the amount of space he has to move forward into.
He doesn’t take advantage however, waiting too long for the play to develop in front of him. He neither attempts to beat his man, nor play Kai Havertz through, and the recovering defence crowds him out.
Hudson-Odoi is forced to settle for a chipped ball through to Mateo Kovacic that is unable to be completely corralled, and the momentum peters away.
Just a minute later, he does astutely identify a smart run to take to connect with a through ball from Jorginho.
However he hesitates midway through the motion, and Norwich right-back Max Aarons is able to get a hold of him and stifle his movement.
That tough critique from Tuchel didn’t take too long to show itself either.
In the 6th minute, another opportunity to utilise the area high on the wing presents itself.
But he declines the opportunity, immediately circling back out of the final third, and recycling posession safely. It raises the ire of Tuchel, furiously pointing out Hudson-Odoi’s indiscretion.
Amusingly, those angry gestures became gestures of praise just a minute later.
This time, he does execute the more aggressive byline drive, wriggling away from two Norwich opponents to put in a cross.
Though the ball doesn’t reach its intended target, the clearance falls right to Jorginho. He sets up Mason Mount for the first goal, and Tuchel in celebration singles out Hudson-Odoi’s initial run as the catalyst.
As the match wore on, the clarity of thought and adherence to tactical instruction improved; the pinnacle of this coming in his goal.
But there were other notable and decisive moments of opportunity creation as well.
Here in the 30th minute, he exploits a match up against the slower Ozan Kabak, easily creating space down the left to play in Mount for a good chance.
And in the 57th minute, another good run forces Aarons to go with him, opening up ample real estate for Ben Chilwell behind him to finish off Chelsea’s fourth goal.
Overall, there were numerous positive moments for Hudson-Odoi throughout the match, particularly going forwards, but to be sure, also areas of his game which could be tightened up.
A couple of elementary turnovers also blotted the stat sheet; a simple first half dispossession in his own defensive third by Kabak leading to a shot, and a minute later, telegraphing an easily read pass, leading to another transition moment for the Canaries.
Certainly, he will also face much fiercer opponents than Norwich down the track. But on the day, Tuchel offered measured positive feedback, though couched in restraint.
“He played well against Malmo and had a good game today but there are still things to improve and to work on.
“Now it is on him. It is like I said before the game, he needs to show that he is able to produce performances like this consistently and now is the time to show.”
Tuchel knows it has not been easy for Hudson-Odoi, with a lot of competition in the team for places upfront, but also understands the special bond supporters have with the local Academy product. He also knows the challenges of having to adapt to different positions and instructions.
Post-match the German conceded, “We are also very aware we are maybe a bit unfair and play him too often as a right wing-back where he cannot show his full potential.
“We are aware of that so it’s always a mix and at the moment, we think that we find a way to push him to the limits and this can change from week to week.”
True to his brand, Tuchel had No. 20 back in that more defensive role for the very next game against Southampton in the EFL Cup. And also on brand, some of those defensive errors from Hudson-Odoi were on show again.
A number of misjudged aerial challenges and an inability to track back consistently, meant the Chelsea manager was forced to entrust Chilwell, a left back, to cover defensively on his opposite side for the later stages of the match (though a more glaring question could be made of the fact Southampton were able to rest ex-Chelsea youngster and right-back Tino Livramento for this game).
But Hudson-Odoi understands the challenge he must confront, particularly with Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku eventually returning from injury.
“You have to show consistency and put in a good performance to show that you are worthy of playing in the team. You have got to prove it to yourself as well, keep on doing your stuff.”
It’s a mantra his manager has clearly instilled in him.
“It’s only a turning point if he makes it a turning point — and only if he does not only one good match, one good half, 60 good minutes, but if he does it consistently,” Tuchel outlined. “It’s as easy as that with every player.”
“You need to fight for it. You need to deserve it. But in the end the only person who can answer that question is Callum. And we will support him.”
All content used does not intend to infringe on the copyrights holder, and is for the nonprofit purpose of commentary, criticism and education, in line with the allowance for “fair dealing” under the Copyright Act (1968).
