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Football London
Football London
Sport
Robert Warlow

The clear sign Callum Hudson-Odoi is ready for a big part in Chelsea's future with Frank Lampard

He may be out injured at the moment, but Callum Hudson-Odoi is seen as a key figure for Chelsea's future in the eyes of the Blues fans.

The 18-year-old has enjoyed a good season with Chelsea, making 24 appearances in all competitions as the Blues finished in third place in the Premier League and won the Europa League.

Hudson-Odoi was unable to play in the final as a result of an Achilles tendon injury he sustained in April against Burnley, but he had already made his mark with five goals for the Blues, and earned himself a first call-up to England's senior squad, with the teenager getting his first cap for the Three Lions in a 5-0 win against Czech Republic at Wembley in March.

However, his future remains the subject of much speculation, with the 18-year-old attracting interest from German champions Bayern Munich in January, and again this summer.

Last week Sky Sports claimed the Bundesliga giants had launched a £22.5m bid for the Blues wonderkid, only for that to be rejected as this transfer saga promises to last at least another six weeks.

And new Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard has said he is keen to resolve Hudson-Odoi's future as soon as possible, amid talks over a new contract.

"I have seen Callum come through and he is a fantastic talent," Lampard told the club's official website. "We all know that and I will speak to him and I want him to stay.

Callum Hudson-Odoi has enjoyed a fine breakout season (Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

"I know the club want him to stay and for me, he is going to be central for us on the pitch and that is the opportunity that is really in front of him now, certainly from where I am sitting.

"So that is something I will speak to him about and I hope he stays.

"When I say he is going to be central to it, there are things as a young player that he will want to improve and there are things through natural development that will improve, so I am not going to say things that are pie in the sky but with his talent, he can be central to this team, he can be central to England, so I am going to say I want to work with him, I want to drive him forward and I want to improve him as a player.

"He can show, right here at Chelsea, the team he came through the Academy at, that he is going to be a world-class player because I truly believe that."

Those comments seem to have gone down well with Hudson-Odoi too, who has 'liked' Chelsea's post about what Lampard has said about him.

And it is clear what Chelsea fans think when it comes to his future, as can be seen from their reaction on social media to the post, as can be seen below.

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