Michael Ballack has urged Chelsea to make a decision over youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi amid speculation surrounding a move to Bayern Munich.
The 18-year-old winger has been tipped as one of the brightest talents in English football right now but has found his playing time at Stamford Bridge limited so far this season, starting just four games in all competitions.
Should Hudson-Odoi take Bayern leap? Five key things to know…
- Hudson-Odoi made his Chelsea debut in January 2018 in the Blues’ 3-0 FA Cup win over Newcastle.
- Now 18, the England youth international has 14 senior appearances under his belt, scoring one goal so far.
- However, Hudson-Odoi is behind Eden Hazard, Pedro and Willian in the pecking order and is yet to start a league game.
- German champions Bayern Munich have reportedly tabled four bids already, with Hudson-Odoi set to reject a new Chelsea contract to push through a move.
- Former Chelsea and Bayern star, Michael Ballack, has urged Chelsea to make a decision on the youngster’s future.
The winger is a prime target for German giants Bayern Munich, who have reportedly made four bids already, but Maurizio Sarri blasted their approach as ‘unprofessional’.
Meanwhile, German outlet Bild say Liverpool have also spoken to Hudson-Odoi with a view to a transfer, although it is unlikely that Chelsea will want to sell to another Premier League club.
But Ballack, who won league titles with Chelsea and Bayern during his playing days, has urged the Blues to make a decision over Hudson-Odoi’s future, hailing him as an ‘outstanding talent’.
“We’re talking about a player who just came recently from the youth level. He’s trying to achieve the step to the professional level in a top club,” he said.
“This makes it a lot more difficult for a young player because the standard is very, very high.
“It’s hard to say whether the player is good enough for this demand or not. It’s a fact that he’s an outstanding talent.
“Chelsea have to evaluate whether they want to keep him or maybe send him on loan.
“I think that’s the philosophy of all top teams – to educate young, top players and to give them the possibility to play.
“It’s the most important thing during that young age, to play without losing the player.
“Bayern had their focus on Hudson-Odoi very early. We will see if the transfer is happening or not.”
Chelsea face Tottenham in the League Cup semi-final second leg on Thursday.
Ballack: There’s no special recipe
After proving his worth with Bayer Leverkusen, Michael Ballack went on to become one of the most lauded midfielders in Europe when he made the leap to Bayern Munich in 2002.
However, the 42-year-old says he doesn’t have any advice’ for Hudson-Odoi and thinks it would be better if the England U19 international made his own decision.
“I don’t have any advice for him. He has to see if he has a realistic chance at Chelsea in the first team or not,” he added.
“[Recently] he was often part of it and showed his qualities. Is it the right time to go to another top club like Bayern?
“Every player has to decide this on his own. There’s no special recipe.”
The post Chelsea must make Hudson-Odoi decision – Michael Ballack appeared first on Squawka News.
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