Lampard on Hudson-Odoi omission: 'He needs to show hunger'
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard admits that he is in conversation with players like Callum Hudson-Odoi who are currently unhappy with their playing time, but insists that the 19-year-old can still flourish at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues have spent in excess of £200m this summer on Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Thiago Silva, and Ben Chilwell.
Those signings have sent Hudson-Odoi further down the pecking order, with Werner, Havertz, and Mason Mount all selected before him for a place on the wing so far this campaign.
Lampard has highlighted what he must do to earn his place.
“At the moment we have Christian Pulisic injured, Hakim Ziyech injured," the former Chelsea midfielder said.
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"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 [hunger] 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.”
However, Lampard did admit that talks with any unhappy players would need to commence soon in order to maintain a settled squad.
"It remains to be seen," he said when asked about potential outgoings.
"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.
"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."
In the past, Hudson-Odoi has been strongly linked with a move to Bayern Munich.