Frank Lampard insists Callum Hudson-Odoi is part of his plans at Chelsea but unsure whether youngster will stay at the club amid Bayern Munich pursuit as Hans-Dieter Flick confirms interest and lauds ‘one of the greatest talents in his position’
- Callum Hudson-Odoi has been named in Chelsea’s starting XI to face Palace
- The 19-year-old played the full 90 minutes against Spurs and keeps his place
- Bayern Munich have stepped up their pursuit for the youngster this week
- Frank Lampard previously said he will consider what is best for the player
Frank Lampard has insisted Callum Hudson-Odoi is part of his plans at Chelsea but conceded that he may lose his star depending on ‘how much Bayern Munich want him’.
Lampard named the 19-year-old in his starting eleven as Chelsea thumped Crystal Palace 4-0 in their lunchtime Premier League clash, as Bayern boss Hans-Dieter Flick confirmed his side’s interest in the youngster.
Sportsmail understands that the Champions League winners have stepped up their latest attempts to land the winger, with all options being considered by the German champions.
Callum Hudson-Odoi has been named in Chelsea’s starting eleven to face Crystal Palace
The 19-year-old has been strongly linked with a move to German champions Bayern Munich
‘He is one of the greatest talents of his position,’ Flick said via Christian Falk. ‘Therefore it is legitimate that we at Bayern Munich deal with him.’
Hudson-Odoi signed a bumper five-year contract last September, but Bayern have been encouraged by the 19-year-old’s lack of action under Chelsea boss Frank Lampard.
But Lampard has stressed that Hudson-Odoi remains part of his plans at Chelsea, and said that any move ‘depends on how much Bayern want him’.
‘I think Callum’s performance, particularly in the second half when he got more aggressive, he showed ability and pace. Callum is absolutely part of our plans here,’ Lampard said after Saturday’s win.
‘There is no definitive answer, we will know by Monday whether there is. Callum is our player, what Callum wants comes into consideration, it has to work for us.
Hans-Dieter Flick has hailed Hudson-Odoi as ‘one of the greatest talents of his position’
‘I expect he will stay but no one can say it is certain by any means. Depends on how much Bayern want him.’
The Englishman’s only starts since last season’s restart came in the Champions League last-16 second-leg at Bayern, a tie that was all but over following Chelsea’s first leg defeat, and two Carabao Cup ties this term.
However, Lampard has turned to the 19-year-old for Saturday’s game against Crystal Palace, with the Chelsea boss naming him in the starting line up ahead of Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic.
His last Premier League start came at Leicester in February though Hudson-Odoi retains his place against Crystal Palace after playing the full game against Tottenham in the League Cup on Tuesday night.
Hudson-Odoi played the full 90 minutes against Spurs on Tuesday and retains his place
When asked about the prospects of Hudson-Odoi, Loftus-Cheek and Fikayo Tomori possibly leaving in order to get sufficient game time to boost their chances of making Gareth Southgate’s England squad, Lampard said: ‘With every player in the squad, with the situation of a loan you have to consider what’s best for the player, what’s best for the club first and foremost, and then see how it stacks up.
‘So with all those three players I would take those things into consideration.
‘But I haven’t got an answer for you on any of those three. I have a good relationship with them all, speak honestly with them, again that’s one that we’ll broach player by player in the next few days.
‘Once the window shuts every player that will be here will be used within our squad, because it’s a long season and a lot of competitions coming up.
‘And we’ll know more on Monday.’