Callum Hudson-Odoi appears to be back in the first team picture at Chelsea, after Frank Lampard admitted that the winger is “not far off” making his comeback from the Achilles tendon injury he suffered in April.
“Callum is not far off but we have to be careful because it was a major injury,” he said. “What we’ve done is actually get him back ahead of time but we have to make sure the strength is right in the area because it could lead to other injuries if we go too quickly.”
Lampard acknowledged that the early return of Hudson-Odoi has come at a useful time for the Blues, who play six games after in the next twenty days before the second international break of the season.
“We certainly have to manage the squad over the next three or four weeks until the next international break.
“We have the Carabao Cup coming up next midweek and that may give us opportunities to look at players who’ve been injured or some different options.
1/12 Premier League Team of the Week: September 14-15
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2/12 David de Gea, Manchester United
De Gea has come under a lot of criticism in recent times, but was very impressive against Leicester making good stops to deny James Maddison and Ben Chilwell.
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3/12 Serge Aurier, Tottenham
Aurier is another player who has received his fair share of criticism, but was at his best against Palace, with his low cross forcing an own goal from Patrick van Aanoholt.
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I
4/12 Ibrahim Amadou (top centre), Norwich
Though Norwich conceded twice, Amadou was outstanding against Manchester City particularly in the second half. Naturally a defensive midfielder, Amadou was very solid alongside Ben Godfrey for the Canaries.
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5/12 Nathan Ake, Bournemouth
It was not surprising to hear Ake’s name linked with a big money move in the summer – the Dutchman has an appetite for defending and displayed this in buckets against Everton.
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6/12 Andrew Robertson, Liverpool
Robertson has not yet reached the level he was operating at last season, but against Newcastle he was very close. His piece of play to set up Mane for Liverpool’s first goal was brilliant, and was his first assist of the season.
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7/12 Etienne Capoue, Watford
Although Deulofeu was very good, captain Capoue was outstanding against Arsenal. The Frenchman dominated Arsenal’s midfield, nullifying the threats of Dani Ceballos and Mesut Ozil.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
8/12 Scott McTominay, Manchester United
United’s midfield has been far from solid this season, but against Leicester McTominay put on his best performance of the season. He was aggressive in midfield and moved the ball well, reminiscent of Ander Herrera at his best.
Manchester United via Getty Images
9/12 Emiliano Buendia, Norwich
The diminutive Argentinian was fantastic against City, operating across the midfield with flicks, tricks and incisive passes causing havoc. Buendia was also defensively outstanding throughout.
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10/12 Son Heung-min, Tottenham
Spurs are at their best when Son plays, and this was proved against Palace. His two goals demonstrated his skill, movement and fantastic two-footed ability.
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11/12 Sadio Mane, Liverpool
Mohammed Salah’s place as the main man at Anfield is increasingly under threat, as Mane once again put in a brilliant performance and scored a brilliant goal in Liverpool’s win over Newcastle. His brace means that he is the only player since the start of last season to score 25+ non-penalty goals.
AFP/Getty Images
12/12 Tammy Abraham, Chelsea
With hattrick of goals that were all different in their own right, Abraham was unstoppable against Wolves. The pace and skill displayed for his third goal was particularly impressive given his size.
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1/12 Premier League Team of the Week: September 14-15
Getty Images
2/12 David de Gea, Manchester United
De Gea has come under a lot of criticism in recent times, but was very impressive against Leicester making good stops to deny James Maddison and Ben Chilwell.
Getty Images
3/12 Serge Aurier, Tottenham
Aurier is another player who has received his fair share of criticism, but was at his best against Palace, with his low cross forcing an own goal from Patrick van Aanoholt.
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I
4/12 Ibrahim Amadou (top centre), Norwich
Though Norwich conceded twice, Amadou was outstanding against Manchester City particularly in the second half. Naturally a defensive midfielder, Amadou was very solid alongside Ben Godfrey for the Canaries.
Getty Images
5/12 Nathan Ake, Bournemouth
It was not surprising to hear Ake’s name linked with a big money move in the summer – the Dutchman has an appetite for defending and displayed this in buckets against Everton.
Getty Images
6/12 Andrew Robertson, Liverpool
Robertson has not yet reached the level he was operating at last season, but against Newcastle he was very close. His piece of play to set up Mane for Liverpool’s first goal was brilliant, and was his first assist of the season.
Getty Images
7/12 Etienne Capoue, Watford
Although Deulofeu was very good, captain Capoue was outstanding against Arsenal. The Frenchman dominated Arsenal’s midfield, nullifying the threats of Dani Ceballos and Mesut Ozil.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
8/12 Scott McTominay, Manchester United
United’s midfield has been far from solid this season, but against Leicester McTominay put on his best performance of the season. He was aggressive in midfield and moved the ball well, reminiscent of Ander Herrera at his best.
Manchester United via Getty Images
9/12 Emiliano Buendia, Norwich
The diminutive Argentinian was fantastic against City, operating across the midfield with flicks, tricks and incisive passes causing havoc. Buendia was also defensively outstanding throughout.
Getty Images
10/12 Son Heung-min, Tottenham
Spurs are at their best when Son plays, and this was proved against Palace. His two goals demonstrated his skill, movement and fantastic two-footed ability.
Getty Images
11/12 Sadio Mane, Liverpool
Mohammed Salah’s place as the main man at Anfield is increasingly under threat, as Mane once again put in a brilliant performance and scored a brilliant goal in Liverpool’s win over Newcastle. His brace means that he is the only player since the start of last season to score 25+ non-penalty goals.
AFP/Getty Images
12/12 Tammy Abraham, Chelsea
With hattrick of goals that were all different in their own right, Abraham was unstoppable against Wolves. The pace and skill displayed for his third goal was particularly impressive given his size.
Getty Images
“In between that time, if Callum shows this week with how good he is in training, then I’ll have to consider him from now on,” Lampard admitted.
The England international has been training with the first team for over a week, and played 61 minutes, registered one assist, for Chelsea’s development squad last Friday against Brighton.
Hudson-Odoi was joined by Reece James in that match, with the defender playing 45 minutes as he recovers from ankle ligament damage suffered in June. N’Golo Kante also appears close to a return, with Lampard noting that he and James are “starting to knock on the door” ahead of Chelsea’s busy period.
