How Granovskaia’s hardball stance put Bayern off Hudson-Odoi

Will Ford
Callum Hudson-Odoi Chelsea

Marina Granovskaia’s tough stance on Callum Hudson-Odoi’s proposed loan switch to Bayern Munich forced the Bundesliga club to pull out of the deal.

Chelsea allowed a number of players to leave on deadline day, with the likes of Tiemoue Bakayoko and Ruben Loftus-Cheek completing loan moves.

But Hudson-Odoi will remain at Stamford Bridge this season, despite further interest from Bayern Munich.


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The England international signed a new Chelsea contract last season to end speculation he would swap London for Munich, but Bayern came back in for him this summer.

Manager Hansi Flick confirmed their interest.

“He is one of the greatest talents on the position,” Flick said. “Therefore it is legitimate that we at Bayern Munich deal with him.”

However, Bayern ultimately failed in a loan deal that reportedly included a £70million option to sign him permanently at the end of the season.

And Chelsea fans have Granovskaia to thank.

Sport Bild report that the clauses the Chelsea director wanted to include put the treble-winning champions off.

These included – but what were not limited to – a penalty clause if he didn’t play enough games, and an obligation (not an option) to buy the winger for £70million if he reached a certain number of appearances.

Granovskaia’s stance will have pleased Frank Lampard, who hailed the academy product’s contribution in Chelsea’s 4-0 win over Crystal Palace.

“Callum is absolutely part of my plans here. We have [Christian] Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech injured before Christian came back in today. We need options and what Callum showed today and the second half against West Brom is exactly what he needs to show,” Lampard said.

“I am pleased with him.”