THOMAS TUCHEL is reportedly close to making a decision on a potential Bundesliga move for Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The Daily Mail claims the Stamford Bridge chief will choose whether or not to let the forward go on loan to Borussia Dortmund amid his struggle for first-team action.
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It is thought Tuchel, whose side play Aston Villa after the international break, is keen for the player to stay and battle for a first-team place.
However, it is suggested the Blues gaffer acknowledges the fight for a first-team place is fierce with the club having added Romelu Lukaku to their attacking ranks.
The former Paris Saint-Germain boss believes Hudson-Odoi, 20, can play a role in Chelsea’s hunt for major trophies this term.
The club looking to retain their Champions League crown in addition to battling for the title and FA and Carabao Cup.
Tuchel said: “It’s hard to argue that he needs regular game time to improve his level. At the same time, it’s not only about letting players go. If we want to compete in all competitions, it’s also about numbers.
“You need a squad of 20 to 21 players. I have the feeling that Callum decided to fight for his place here. He had a very good pre-season. The door is always open to sneak through. At the moment, there is no loan.”
It is thought Tuchel will be looking to discuss Dortmund’s loan bid with the England starlet before deciding whether to sanction any temporary move.
The forward, who made his senior Blues debut in an FA Cup win against Newcastle in 2018, has attracted attention from Germany’s top-flight in the past with Chelsea rebuffing overtures from Bayern Munich in 2020.
It is thought the Bundesliga champions were keen on securing Hudson-Odoi on loan with an option to buy the ace for £70million, but the player remained in London.
Hudson-Odoi, who joined Chelsea’s academy at the age of seven, made 10 Premier League starts for the 2020 Champions League winners last season.
While the player started in the Blues’ Uefa Super Cup final victory against Villarreal, he featured as an unused sub in the club’s first three Prem games this season.
The starlet was memorably subbed during the Blues’ top-flight clash with Southampton in February 2020, just over thirty minutes from coming off the bench.
The Mail claims Tuchel was displeased with the forward’s attitude at the time.
However, the duo have since moved on from that event with Hudson-Odoi making 37 appearances across all competitions last season.
This week the winger declined an England Under-21 call-up in order to focus on his progress at Chelsea.
And it is thought Tuchel believes game time could be beneficial to the player.
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