Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has urged Chelsea to keep Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The England footballer handed in a transfer request as he aims to join fellow English stars in Reiss Nelson and Jadon Sancho in the Bundesliga. Bayern Munich have had their requests turned down by Chelsea and the biggest of the three bids was a £35m offer.
“What a shame it would be if we lost Callum Hudson-Odoi from the Premier League. The 18-year-old has never started a top-flight game but I have no doubt that the teenager could feature regularly for Chelsea in the near future. Trouble is, he does not want to wait for those chances.” Keown told The Daily Star.
Hudson-Odoi’s performance against Sheffield Wednesday and the second goal for Chelsea, according to Keown, shows that the 18-year-old is ready for first team action and especially league matches.
“He wants more than the occasional FA Cup outing now, and that is why it seems Chelsea may lose him to Bayern Munich in this window. There is nothing wrong with him wanting to play, of course, but would Bayern use him in the Bundesliga? Against Sheffield Wednesday yesterday, he gave glimpses of what he can do and his Premier League potential. For me, Hudson-Odoi is already ahead of Pedro. I’d prefer to see him stay put,” Keown added.
Hudson-Odoi has eighteen months remaining in his current contract with Chelsea.
