Callum Hudson-Odoi has opened up on his frustrations under former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel while still playing at Stamford Bridge.
The 21-year-old winger acknowledged that after not being included in Thomas Tuchel’s matchday squad for the opening-day victory over Everton, he thought about leaving Chelsea.
Hudson-Odoi struggled to get playing time under the previous manager and eventually signed a season-long loan deal with Bayer Leverkusen that did not include a buyout option at the end of the season.
Since the move, Graham Potter has taken over Tuchel’s responsibilities at Stamford Bridge.
While admitting to feeling frustrated with his limited role, Hudson-Odoi insisted to the Daily Mail that he has no ill will toward his former manager.
“It was one of those difficult moments when you look at yourself and say, ‘What am I doing wrong? Have I done anything wrong to not even be in the squad?” he said of his opening day snub.
“I would never say anything bad about Thomas, he was a good guy, a good manager. [But] the first game of the season, it was frustrating. Any footballer that isn’t in the squad would understand how frustrating it is.
“Regular football gives you consistency and the more games you play, the more consistent you become, the more form starts to kick in.
“You feel fresher, you feel better, you feel like…not that you’re getting treated fairly but that you’ve got the trust from the manager to push you and kick you on. You don’t want to be on the bench thinking, ‘Why am I not playing?’ And then it becomes weeks and weeks and the legs are rusty when you do play. The most important thing is consistent football. That’s what I’m getting here and it’s making me feel better.
“Right now, playing games, momentum is kicking on and you feel refreshed: new country, brand-new experience. It’s definitely refreshing to know I get an opportunity to play games week in, week out, enjoying it and smiling!”
