Frank Lampard tells Callum Hudson-Odoi to work harder for Chelsea place

Frank Lampard has said Callum Hudson-Odoi has to work harder in training to earn a place in Chelsea’s starting lineup following suggestions Bayern Munich are set to revive their interest in the winger.

Bayern wanted to sign Hudson-Odoi before he committed his future to Chelsea last year, signing a five-year deal, and reports in Germany have claimed the European champions plan to target the England international again. Although it is understood nothing is likely to happen during this window, Lampard offered little clarity about the 19-year-old’s future. “I’ve got no idea, I’ve not got anything,” Chelsea’s manager said. “I don’t know if there is any truth in it, so not much to say I suppose.”

Hudson-Odoi has struggled since sustaining an achilles injury in April 2019. He made one start after football’s return in June and has seen Chelsea, who host Liverpool on Sunday, strengthen in his position with the signings of Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz.

The departures of Willian and Pedro have not led to Hudson-Odoi’s status improving. The academy graduate was on the bench when Chelsea beat Brighton on Monday, even though Christian Pulisic and Ziyech were unavailable, and came on only in the 80th minute.

“I’d be surprised if any player is not disappointed when they don’t play games,” Lampard said. “With Callum he has to absolutely focus on the work he puts in on the training ground day in, day out. I’ve said it quite a few times. I have to think about how players trained, how they play within the team, how we work on the ball and how we work off the ball.

“I have no favourites. I don’t lean on people because I like them. I lean on people because I want people to be successful, which will hopefully make everybody here happy. Callum is a young developing player and a lot of talk has come his way because of the way his career has gone at a young age. The facts remain the same for all young players. They have to work every day to put themselves in the frame to start.”