The longest season in Chelsea’s history has finally drawn to a close after Frank Lampard’s side fell to a 7-1 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich.
Given the low expectations travelling over to Germany and the extensive injury list that Lampard had to deal with, it was a chance for several fringe players to impress the Blues boss.
At the very top of that list was Callum Hudson-Odoi considering the frustration he has endured throughout the 2019/20 campaign. Playing his final game of the season against Bayern Munich proved rather fitting given the serious interest shown by the Bundesliga champions last summer.
Hudson-Odoi’s last 12 months probably hasn’t transpired the way he would have liked, but there were signs of why all is not lost for his Chelsea career on Saturday night.
Bayern Munich’s quality showed right from the start of the game and Alphonso Davies’ attacking presence down the left-hand side somewhat curbed the threat of Hudson-Odoi going the other way.
Nevertheless, the 19-year-old frequently used the ball well when he had possession and looked to have clawed a goal back for Chelsea in the 28th minute. His impressive strike from just outside the penalty area was subsequently ruled out for an offside in the build-up but it at least demonstrated his quality in the final third.
Perhaps the most important change from Hudson-Odoi’s perspective was being switched to the left wing where he had more freedom to cut inside onto his favoured left foot. The 19-year-old showed signs of being able to do that well on several occasions and looked like the key threat going forward for Chelsea.
Both Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham struggled to make an impact against Hansi Flick’s dominant side with Hudson-Odoi looking the most likely to make something happen.
A 4-1 defeat on the night was probably a fair reflection of just how dominant the German champions were against Lampard’s fairly inexperienced starting XI. Defensive frailties were ruthlessly punished once again with Robert Lewandowski adding even more goals to an incredible goal-scoring season.
But signs of Hudson-Odoi being able to take on responsibility in attacking areas was perhaps one positive to take and provides interesting questions ahead of next season.
Considering the arrivals of Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech, there will be stiff competition to get into the starting line-up next season with Christian Pulisic also looking to come back from injury.
Despite shining more prominently on the left-hand side, Hudson-Odoi could be hard pushed to earn a starting place there next season given Pulisic’s form.
Nevertheless, recent injuries and unpredictability in football shows that the 19-year-old should stay focused on showing what he can add in attack for the Blues.
