IT’S HELL FOR CAL
Winger warned to get used to being axed
FRANK LAMPARD admits he had to have a “tough” talk with Callum HudsonOdoi after axing the Chelsea winger.
Lampard will give the England international another chance in Seville tonight – but has warned competition in the squad means he will have to get used to being left out.
The 20- year- old has had a stopstart year at Chelsea but appeared to be finding his way back to form last week as he scored in their Champions League win at Rennes.
But Hudson- Odoi did not even make the bench for Sunday’s draw with Tottenham and that has become a new reality for “four or five” regulars because of the strength in depth.
Chelsea boss Lampard
( right) said: “I have tough decisions when we have a fully fit squad like we do now.
“We have elite players who work hard through the week, they’re desperate to play for the club but I have to leave them out.
“I did speak to Callum because I want him to feel where he’s at, at the minute, which is making progress and he’s getting better.
But there will be other times when other players have to sit out and the conversation will be with other players.
“So he’s back in contention, I want to see him keep that progression going and if there are times when he’s not starting or not in the squad, the main thing is that I want him to stay pos positive.
“I suppose that is part of my job to have that communication level.
“His reaction to me saying that to him was great, his reaction since in training has been great and I’m sure he’ll show that again when he plays.”
Bayern Munich are long term admirers of Hudson- Odoi, who made his England debut last year.
But Lampard insists he cannot worry about the “noise” around players. He added: “I have to leave out four or five players maybe per game and if I thought about every player and the risk then I would never make a decision, I wouldn’t be able to do the job.
“That’s the reality of playing for Chelsea. I’m not worried about the noise around it or the permutations of what leaving someone out of the squad might mean down the line.”
Midfielder Jorginho insists he welcomes the competition even though it means his place is no longer guaranteed.
The Italy star said: “We are more competitive between us, the level of the training is higher and everything is better.
“We just try to work even harder to have a chance to play.”
Chelsea have the chance to win Group E with a game to spare tonight should they win in Spain.