Callum Hudson-Odoi has been explaining his "freak" Achilles injury that kept the Chelsea winger out for almost the entirety of the second half of last season. The 21-year-old made just 28 appearances in all competitions for the Blues last term but he is now preparing for a fresh start when the Premier League campaign kicks off in less than two weeks' time.
The last match Hudson-Odoi featured in last season was the 3-2 FA Cup fifth round victory against Luton Town. After that, he was absent from the squad and he has only recently returned to full training with his team-mates.
"It was definitely scary," Hudson-Odoi told reporters about his injury. "When it happened it was like a freak injury. It was weird. I didn't know how it even came about.
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"It was just one day I went to go to training and I felt very stiff in my body and my legs. I was like: 'Woah, there's no real power to kick the ball or strike the ball or even pass it.'
"It was definitely a weird one but I was working hard to get myself back into training, back into games. I definitely feel like my power has come back to where it was."
Hudson-Odoi was by no means a guaranteed starter under Thomas Tuchel – even before his injury – and he has even more competition to contend with now. The introduction of Raheem Sterling, who can be used anywhere across the front three, means Hudson-Odoi could fall even further down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
The three-time England international isn't concerned, though. He actually sees Sterling's signing as a positive and he has told Tuchel that he is comfortable being used wherever.
"He has had a big influence," Hudson-Odoi said on Sterling. "We know the player he is. Top, top player. We have seen what he has done for Manchester City and England.
"He has done amazing. For myself, playing in the same position he plays, it is definitely good to look up to someone like him, his goals and assists and the way he plays and dribbles. It is definitely a good thing to look up and know you have someone like him in the changing room who wants to lead and help the team win games, try and win trophies.
"A big character like him helps all of us in the changing room, and on the pitch and in training sessions as well. I am comfortable playing wherever he puts me at the end of the day but at the same time you've just got to play your best."
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