Callum
Hudson-Odoi is unhappy at his lack of game time for Chelsea and would
consider a move away from Stamford Bridge in the summer transfer window.
The England international has played less than an hour since Chelsea's
return to action following the coronavirus pandemic.
Hudson-Odoi missed the first three games of the restart due to an injury
picked up in the mini pre-season before the Premier League got back underway
and has yet to start a match upon his return.
He signed a new five-year deal with Chelsea last September worth around
£140,000 a week, after months of protracted negotiations, complicated by
interest from Bayern Munich.
Lampard said: "He needs to keep training at the highest level. It's what
he's been doing, particularly in the last week to 10 days. He's had a good
impact in his last two performances. He's got great talent and great
potential."
Asked if he sensed frustration about a lack of game time, Lampard replied:
"No. I'd expect my players to want to play as much as they can. I pick
players on how they train daily and what they can give us. It's the same as
every other player."
Hudson-Odoi continues to enjoy a good working relationship with Lampard and
in particular his assistant Jody Morris, who worked closely with him during
his time in the club's academy.
For now, neither player nor club have discussed a move. Chelsea have already
signed Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner to boost his attacking options next
season and are in talks with Bayer Leverkusen for Kai Havertz.
Hudson-Odoi will also have half an eye on next summer's Euro 2021, well
aware that Gareth Southgate is unlikely to add to the winger's three England
caps if he remains without first team action.
Lampard putting transfer thoughts aside
Lampard says any thoughts about the transfer market has been put to one side
as he prepares for two vital games in the quest for a top four finish in the
Premier League and a FA Cup final.
Lampard says he is not thinking about adding to the signings of Ziyech and
Werner, despite the club being in talks with Bayer Leverkusen forward
Havertz.
"I am not going to talk about Kai Havertz or any other player. I am looking
at a game tomorrow that is so huge for this club. I am not thinking about
players from other teams."
Ziyech revealed that Lampard played a key role in persuading the Morocco
international to move to Stamford Bridge.
Lampard hopes his passion for the club will rub off on any new arrivals this
summer.
"If I work for this club I want to get the best out of the group that I
have," Lampard said. "If we look at bringing in players and I have to speak
to them you just want to speak about the vision and what you want for the
club.
"When I get the opportunity to do that I will do that. Hopefully with a lot
of passion, feeling and with an idea of what I want.
"I remember being a player and having certain conversations like that at
different times with managers. As a player you want to join somewhere that
is going somewhere. You want to get to a target.
"That's the only way I will speak to players and even my own players. We all
have to feel the vision and wanting to play for Chelsea is a positive one."
Mount motivated by Liverpool
Mason Mount says watching Liverpool lift the Premier League trophy will
motivate him further to win silverware.
The Chelsea midfielder scored the second goal in the club's 3-1 semi-final
win over Manchester United to book a place in the FA Cup final on August 1.
The 21-year-old is set to make his 50th appearance for Chelsea when they
take on Liverpool on Wednesday night.
He told Chelsea's club website: "For a team to be as dominant as they have
been this season, it definitely gives you that motivation next season to
match them.
"We have played them three times this season and we have definitely been
competitive with them, and when you watch something like the trophy lift, it
gives you that extra motivation going into next season.
"I am a winner so I don't like watching other people win, especially other
teams. You want to win with your own team so it is definitely hard to watch
someone else win but they have been brilliant this season and worthy
winners.
"When you watch something like that it gives you that extra motivation to
want to win and that is something we want to keep doing and finish off this
season in the top four and hopefully win a trophy, and then focus on next
season and really try to push to win."
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