Callum Hudson-Odoi has completed a season-long loan move to Bayer Leverkusen. The 21-year-old heads to the Bundesliga, having drawn interest from a large number of clubs, though Chelsea have the option to recall the England international in January.
The Cobham product had not featured in a Premier League match for Chelsea this season but had been involved in the squads to take on Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur. While the winger eyed a move away from Stamford Bridge, he had still been included in first-team training.
Last week, however, as the first team trained in front of supporters at Stamford Bridge, Hudson-Odoi was not among that number as the prospect of a loan move increased. Hudson-Odoi is said to have had Premier League clubs interested in taking him but ultimately opted to head to Leverkusen.
READ MORE: Callum Hudson-Odoi snubs Arsenal and Premier League 'interest' in favour of Bundesliga transfer exit
The move is a change in tact from the Blues, who did not allow Hudson-Odoi to leave on loan last season. Borussia Dortmund and Leicester City had been interested on that occasion, but Tuchel had said it was a 'very easy decision for his charge to remain at the club on that occasion. The German coach conceded that it may have been a good opportunity for Hudson-Odoi on that occasion but not one the club could afford to make.
A difficult season ensued, Hudson-Odoi, who saw his season cut short by an Achilles injury that resulted in a back issue. The youngster was among the first bodies back at Cobham in pre-season and has seen a physical transformation as he looks to get through the new term injury free.
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