Chelsea boss Frank Lampard refuses to rule out Callum Hudson-Odoi loan exit
Frank Lampard has opened the door to the possibility of Callum Hudson-Odoi leaving Chelsea on loan before the window closes.
Hudson-Odoi has fallen down the pecking order since returning from a ruptured Achilles, while he also suffered a hamstring problem last season and started only seven Premier League games.
The winger, who after breaking through at Chelsea pushed for a move to Bayern Munich before signing fresh terms shortly after Lampard's appointment as manager, is not pushing to leave west London yet but would consider a loan should first-team opportunities not present themselves.
And with a large squad in need of trimming, Lampard is ready to consider his options.
Asked if Hudson-Odoi and team-mate Antonio Rudiger could leave before the season finishes, Lampard said: "It remains to be seen. We’re not in a period where the transfer window or market is acting like it has done in recent years in terms of how players move or what level they move at.
"Again the competitive games have just started. I’m very open to those conversations with the players as the next couple of weeks go on. My priority will always be making sure I maintain and keep the strongest squad I can for this club, but after that of course the individual conversations will happen within that.
"I will try and make sure I go into the season once the window shuts with the squad that I feel is healthy and competitive in a healthy way."
Hudson-Odoi will be given his opportunity to remain part of that squad on Wednesday night, when Chelsea host Barnsley in the Carabao Cup third round, and Lampard has called on him to step up and impress.
“You say the players we’ve got in his position," said Lampard. "At the moment we have Christian Pulisic injured, Hakim Ziyech injured. We played Timo Werner out wide the other day, but the absolute natural winger who is fit at the minute is Callum.
"We know in a Premier League squad and the number of games we’re going to play, we need competition in those areas, back-ups in those areas and players competing to make that position their own.
"That’s where Callum is at and that’s why I keep saying he needs to train. He needs to show in training every day and when he gets his opportunity in games, which he will have tomorrow because he will play against Barnsley.
"He has to show in every minute, on and off the ball, what he can do for the team and that’s the position Callum is at at the minute. He’s had an early breakthrough in his career because of his talent, he’s had an injury and now I want to see him flourish again.”
