Chelsea are said to be open to loan offers for 18-year-old forward Callum Hudson-Odoi, with Southampton a potential destination per reports on Sky Sports.
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What’s the word?
Hudson-Odoi has played just four times for the Blues this season, and has only featured off the bench twice since starting the Community Shield loss to Manchester City in August.
Brief run-outs in the UEFA Europa League have not presented enough opportunities for the teenage forward to produce in the Pensioners’ first team, seeing the ball enough for just 22 passes, six dribbles and two shots, according to WhoScored’s records.
Ahead of Maurizio Sarri’s arrival at Stamford Bridge, the Wandsworth-born protege was earmarked for big things and thought of as Chelsea’s next academy product to break into the first team.
His natural speed and raw talent saw the 5 foot 10 winger through the youth grades and promoted to the Under 23s at just 16, yet he is now on the loan market as Chelsea consider their product to gain minutes elsewhere.
The London club have no intentions of allowing Hudson-Odoi to move to a direct top six rival, alerting Southampton and Burnley to a potential move as Sky Sports note both sides are in the market for a new winger.
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Why should Southampton sign him?
While Southampton have an okay defensive record under Mark Hughes, creativity has been the south coast side’s downfall. The Saints have secured just eight of a possible 36 points through the second worst scoring record.
Part of the problem for the 55-year-old head coach is that he has no clear undisputed options on the wings. Nathan Redmond and Mohamed Elyounoussi have both been regularly deployed on either side of the field, but neither have particularly starred.
Redmond’s ever-changing position has resulted in the 24-year-old struggling to maintain a consistent run of form, yet WhoScored stats show he is most effective attacking from the left-hand side.
Despite that also being Hudson-Odoi’s side of preference, thanks to his love of cutting in on his right foot, the England Under 19 international should be seriously considered as he can switch wings and retain his impact on the game.
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