Callum Hudson-Odoi reveals he had never previously played at wing back

Callum Hudson-Odoi reveals he had NEVER played at wing-back before being thrust into new role in Thomas Tuchel’s first match in charge of Chelsea… but England star insists he can thrive in a different position

• Callum Hudson-Odoi was called upon to play wing-back for the first time ever
• New Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel made changes to both system and personnel
• Chelsea dominated possession but were held to a 0-0 draw by Wolves

Callum Hudson-Odoi revealed he had never previously played as a wing back before new boss Thomas Tuchel called on him to perform the role against Wolves.

The 20-year-old started just three league matches this season under previous manager Frank Lampard, but played the full 90 minutes first at right wing-back and then later on the left as Tuchel started his reign as Chelsea boss with a goalless draw.

Hudson-Odoi impressed throughout despite his unfamiliar surroundings, having had just one training session to learn what his new manager expected of him.

Tuesday’s training session was Callum Hudson-Odoi’s first experience at wing-back

Hudson-Odoi revealed Thomas Tuchel encouraged him to be as a direct as possible 

‘It was my first time trying it yesterday and I felt alright playing in it, it wasn’t a problem for me,’ he told Chelsea’s official website.

‘It was good trying to play that position and no matter where the manager asks me to play I will try to do my best. 

‘(Tuchel) knows all the attacking players can be free and score goals and he wants us to be direct and keep pushing and try to get goals and get assists. He told me to work up and down that line, be direct and stay as high and wide as possible.

‘I felt really fit throughout the whole game, I felt really sharp, trying to be direct and to get at my defender as much as possible, and I feel as a collective we did really well.’ 

Despite dominating the possession stats, the Blues couldn’t find a way to break the deadlock

Wednesday’s stalemate leaves Chelsea eighth in the table and with just two wins in their last nine Premier League outings.

But Hudson-Odoi believes there are positives to take from last night’s performance, starting on Sunday when the Blues host Burnley.  

‘I felt that it was a game we deserved to win, we had the right mentality from the start,’ he said.

‘We were working hard, trying to break their back five as quick as possible. At times it was very difficult. When we were getting behind them they were recovering so well it was hard to make that extra pass to break it.

‘I think we have to be more clinical with our crossing and more clinical with our passing – the end product just to finish it off. We can hopefully improve on it on Sunday.’ 

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