Callum Hudson-Odoi in conversation: Bayer Leverkusen or Chelsea return?

Bundesliga “good experience”

Let’s get the big question out of the way right now: will loanee Callum Hudson-Odoi (22) return to Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen in January? “Seriously, I don’t know,” said the Englishman ahead of the Werkself’s friendly against St.Louis City SC in a media round in the USA, which was attended by Transfermarkt.us.

Together with the team from Missouri, the Leverkusen team opened the Citypark Stadium of the newly founded club, which will be the 29th participant in Major League Soccer next year. The game ended 3-0 for Bayer 04. The standout was Adam Hlozek with two goals and an assist, but Hudson-Odoi, who set up a Czech goal and made it 1-0 himself, also drew attention as one of the best players. This should also have been noted in London.

Bayer Leverkusen, meanwhile, seems relaxed about the question of Hudson-Odois near future. As Transfermarkt learned, Chelsea have not yet made a decision, but even if the native of London should be ordered back early, the Bundesliga club sees itself armed, as long-term injured Florian Wirtz, as coach Xabi Alonso stated, is expected to return sooner rather than later . “Ultimately, whatever the decision will be, you have to accept it,” Hudson-Odoi said of his uncertain situation. “I’ll just have to do my best.”

Bayer Leverkusen’s Hudson-Odoi: Bundesliga “definitely a good experience”

Hudson-Odoi’s loan to Rhein almost seemed like the end of an odyssey. The attacker had been linked with a move to Bayern Munich in several transfer windows before suffering a torn Achilles tendon in April 2019. When asked about Bayern, Hudson-Odoi laughed about the irony of finally ending up in the Bundesliga, even if not in Munich.

“It was definitely a good experience to play in the Bundesliga,” stressed Hudson-Odoi. And although he’s only managed one assist in nine Bundesliga games, the 22-year-old seems to be enjoying the league’s open attacking style. He said: “Defensively, Bundesliga teams play with a higher line, much higher than in the Premier League where a lot of teams play with a deep block. It’s harder to get past them. In the Bundesliga you often run into defenders on the halfway line and if you get past them there are counterattacks and one-on-one chances.” That doesn’t mean that Hudson-Odoi prefers to play in the Bundesliga over the Premier League said. The youngster finds: “Both have very high quality and different requirements.”

Whether it’s in Germany or England, Hudson-Odoi knows he needs to increase his goal tally one way or the other. He hasn’t scored in the Bundesliga yet. “I often get good graduation opportunities,” he said. “I just need more goals and assists.” The Englishman with Ghanaian roots is also aiming for more titles, although the trophy collection is already richly decorated. “CHO” celebrated the Champions League and Europa League triumphs with Chelsea, won the Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup. “You want to stay hungry,” says Hudson-Odoi. “You want to show that you can win these trophies more than once.”

Bayer coach Alonso wants to keep Hudson-Odoi: “Important player for us”

Chelsea are still represented in the Champions League (against BVB). Leverkusen will continue in the Europa League in February (against Monaco). Bayer coach Alonso stressed during the post-game press conference in St. Louis that he would prefer to keep Hudson-Odoi and said he was “confident that he will stay with us until the end of the season. He’s an important player for us.”

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Hudson-Odoi, on the other hand, was impressed by Alonso’s performance as head coach at Leverkusen. “I think he did really well,” said the loanee. “He is always active and wants you to do your best and also get good results for the team. He did a good job and hopefully it will continue. ”He does not have the decision on his club membership from January due to the return option. By the way, things are different when it comes to choosing a possible national team.

“I’m still considering both,” said Hudson-Odoi when asked if he could potentially play for Ghana in the future. He has played three games for England’s senior national team – the limit up to which a change of association would still be possible. “I haven’t ruled anything out yet. But these situations are difficult for a player. At the moment I just want to focus on the club as things are going well here and I want to push myself as much as possible.”

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