Callum Hudson-Odoi "Buzzing" To Make Chelsea Return In Club America Win After Injury Absence

Callum Hudson-Odoi was delighted to make his first appearance for Chelsea since March following a lengthy injury absence. 

The 21-year-old was given the nod by Thomas Tuchel to start in the front three against Club America in Las Vegas for their first game of pre-season. 

Months of recovery and fitness work following an Achilles injury saw Hudson-Odoi get back on the pitch with his teammates in America. 

He played the first-half before Tuchel changed the whole XI for the second half in order to boost the match fitness of the group who were involved, the main aim of the Club America game which teammate Mason Mount admitted at full-time. 

"The most important thing today was really working on our off the ball stuff, our physical ability to run and I thought we did that,” said Mount.

Chelsea put in the performance and effort, but were rewarded with victory in their first outing of pre-season. Mount’s exquisite bending strike in the 83rd handed the Blues a 2-1 win at the Allegiant Stadium. 

Timo Werner put Chelsea ahead 10 minutes into the second half from close range, before Reece James put into his own net on the hour mark. 

It’s one game down for Chelsea and one win. Now they head to Charlotte and Orlando to face Charlotte FC and Arsenal next week. 

Hudson-Odoi was delighted to build up the minutes, which Tuchel had planned for the whole squad, as they took another step in the right direction of being ready for the opening day of the Premier League season. 

He told Chelsea TV at full-time on the win: "It was good. Buzzing to be back with boys. Good result, and we keep working. 

“I feel much stronger, the first game back in a while, but I felt great. 

“Everybody got told they were playing 45 to build the fitness up in the legs."

Head coach Thomas Tuchel also reflected on the tough match against Club America, but was pleased to come out with the win.

He added: "It was a very difficult match, a very difficult opponent for the first match. Normally you start a bit against a lower league opponent, but this was very tough.

"Also, the environment, playing in a big stadium with a big crowd against an opponent like America who are already in competition. It was tough.

"First half was tough for us to create clear chances, but we had one and couldn't score.

"But we kept a clean sheet, and second half, we found better solutions and looked more dangerous. So good first half, very good second half. We deserved to win, and I'm happy we took it."