Tuchel hopeful ‘tough’ treatment of CHO will help him improve

Jason Soutar
Thomas Tuchel giving advice to Callum Hudson-Odoi

Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel is hopeful that Callum Hudson-Odoi can benefit from his ‘tough love’ approach.

Hudson-Odoi played in a more attacking position during Saturday’s 7-0 win against Norwich after injuries to Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner.

The 20-year-old scored his first goal of the season in the win – which was only his third league start in 2021/22.


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Next up for the Blues is Southampton in the Carabao Cup, which will likely be another opportunity for Hudson-Odoi to impress.

“He needs that (tough love). These guys who are so full of quality hear sometimes a bit too often how good they are, but you need to prove it, to show it,” Tuchel said chelseafc.com.

“For the offensive guys it is easy – just read statistics and deliver assists and goals. This is what he does and what he needs to show.

“This is the highest level in England, this is the highest level in Europe, so we are hopefully not unfair, but we are tough on him, because it is not enough with this talent just to be a part of the group.

“We are also very aware we are maybe a bit unfair and play him too often as a right wing-back where he cannot show his full potential.

“We are aware of that, so it is always a mix and at the moment, we think that we find a way to push him to the limits and this can change from week to week.”

Tuchel added: “He had a good game against Malmo, he had another good game on Saturday. There are still things to improve and to work on now.

“He needs to show that he is able to produce performances like this consistently and it is the time now to show that. The next opportunity is on Tuesday.”

Mason Mount bagged a hat-trick in the win over Norwich, prompting praise from former Blue, Andy Townsend.

Townsend played over 100 times for Chelsea between 1990 and 1993. As reported by Football London, he has suggested that Mount is becoming a leader.

He said: “I think he has a real sharp focus right now about what to do. ‘I’m getting in the box, I’m getting on the edge of the box, I’m getting my shots away. I have to provide some output to stay in this team’.

“The team are now looking at him to lead from that position and I think he’s doing that. He is tremendous.”