Callum Hudson-Odoi has expressed his delight after returning to pre-season with the rest of his Chelsea teammates.
Thomas Tuchel’s side began reporting back to their Cobham training ground on Saturday following their holidays to recover and refresh ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Chelsea are two weeks away from their opening games of pre-season which takes place in Las Vegas as they take on Club America in the first of their three games of their tour of the United States.
The squad are returning in batches, with the non-international stars heading back first before those who played in June for their countries head back a week later.
Hudson-Odoi returned prior to Saturday to complete a personal programme to get up to speed before team training after missing the majority of the second half of the season through injury.
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On Saturday, Hudson-Odoi was one of 14 players spotted at Cobham out on the grass and in the gym.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marcus Bettinelli, Ben Chilwell, Ian Maatsen, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Malang Sarr, Dujon Sterling, Ross Barkley, Tino Anjorin, Kenedy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Hakim Ziyech were the other 13 to head back, but there was no sign of head coach Thomas Tuchel who is likely to be back at some point next week.
After the session at Cobham, Hudson-Odoi spoke to the club’s in-house media team as he headed back inside and was asked how he felt about stepping back onto the pitch.
“It was an amazing feeling. I’ve been working as hard as possible to come back to train with the team and play games,” admitted the 21-year-old.
“It’s been frustrating to be out and watching everyone train, play games and enjoy themselves, so I’m delighted to be back.”
It’s been a summer of work for the winger. Following his injury, he has been constantly working in order to get himself in the best shape possible.
He has been in the gym, on the pitch, pushing himself the absolute maximum.
Hudson-Odoi added: “For myself, I wanted to push myself to the max every time whether it’s on the pitch or off the pitch, trying to give my max.
“We did a lot of gym work off the pitch to get a bit bigger and stronger, to try to be more muscular. But at the same time, on the pitch it’s been working hard doing individual sessions.
“It feels great to be back, it’s amazing.”
Chelsea fly out to the US next Saturday for a week-long training camp before their games against Club America, Charlotte FC and Arsenal.
Hudson-Odoi will be keen to stake his claim in the side with Raheem Sterling set to join Chelsea this summer from Manchester City, adding to the strength in depth.
The work has already started and it promises to be a season which Hudson-Odoi will hope is his, one where he can shine and deliver and showcase his true potential.
Topics: Callum Hudson-Odoi, Chelsea, Football
Matthew Debono