Callum
Hudson-Odoi has a "massive" opportunity to become a key player for Chelsea
under Frank Lampard, according to Cesar Azpilicueta.
Recently-appointed head coach Lampard has already said he wants the
18-year-old winger to sign a new deal at Stamford Bridge, amid interest from
Bayern Munich, who had fourth bid worth £22.5m rejected for him in June.
Sky Sports News understands Hudson-Odoi himself turned down an
£85,000-a-week contract offer from Chelsea in January - as well as handing
in a transfer request - and it is understood the England international is no
closer to agreeing a new deal.
Azpilicueta says he is convinced the winger will have a big role to player
under Lampard when he recovers from the ruptured Achilles he suffered in
April.
"Yes, we [senior players] do [talk to the youngsters]" he told Sky Sports
News.
"It is important to have a connection between the players in the first team
and the academy. We can be better and stronger by having these players in
the first team but also with the coaches working with a system so when the
players come in it is easier for them [to adapt].
"For Callum it is a massive chance to become a key player for Chelsea. He
was getting plenty of minutes before his unlucky injury. Now I am sure that
when he recovers well he will be important when he is back.
"The feeling and desire is there from all of the boys when they start at
Chelsea, it is a tough academy to get through. Mason (Mount), Ruben
(Loftus-Cheek) and Callum are all players that we have to be proud of and
they are setting a good example for the others young lads starting their
careers."
At 29-years-old, Azpilicueta considers himself as one of the senior members
of Lampard's squad and understands the added responsibility he has in
helping players adapt from "England's best" youth system.
"The most experienced players have to help the young players coming in," he
said.
"We are lucky we have the best academy in England and it is true that maybe
in recent years we haven't seen a lot of youngsters coming into the first
team and getting minutes on the pitch.
"Last year Callum, Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] and Andreas [Christensen] started to
get minutes. Now with the transfer ban, we have seen in pre-season already,
they have more chances to break in.
"They have Frank and all his staff who they have already been working with
for quite a long time.
"Our role is to make them feel comfortable, to let them express the quality
that they have shown in the youth system.
"I am convinced this is the way to move forward."
Chelsea's Japan Tour Diary
Sky Sports News reporter Geraint Hughes is with Chelsea in Japan...
Some slept soundly, others were affected by the odd member of staff going
for a jog around Yokohama in the early hours, while captain Cesar
Azpilicueta laughed to me: "4 o'clock, I was wide awake!"
You will not find anyone complaining, though it's clear Chelsea under Frank
Lampard are here to work. Lampard wants to use every day, every minute he
has with the players to hone fitness, build team spirit, look at bringing in
young players and learn which formations will serve him best come the start
of the Premier League.
Azpilicueta has only been able to work with Lampard for barely 10 days, yet
he was pretty clear already about his role as captain and senior player,
telling me to not expect the team to hide behind the transfer ban in any
lack of ambition.
Despite the jet lag, preparations continue for Friday's game against J
League Champions Kawasaki Frontale. On Thursday, about 9000 Japanese
football fans, probably mostly Chelsea supporters, will get the chance to
watch Chelsea train after applying for tickets via a lottery.
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