Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has insisted he will not be pressured into giving more games to Callum Hudson-Odoi by the threat of Bayern Munich’s interest – and compared the situation to Tottenham with Dele Alli currently barely playing for Jose Mourinho’s side.
The Chelsea manager admitted it had been tough to leave the England winger out of the squad that drew with Tottenham on Sunday, after the 20-year-old had scored a superb goal in the Champions League win that took them through to the last 16 at Rennes last week.
And Lampard claimed he is not worried that Bayern, who have been chasing Hudson-Odoi for a year, will move in again if the youngster becomes frustrated about not getting games.
Bayern have had four bids for Hudson-Odoi turned down by Chelsea, the last in October.
And speaking ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Sevilla in Spain, Lampard said: “I’m not worried about the permutations of leaving someone out. I’m making decisions for the squad.
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“In Callum’s early career, he got into the team, there was a lot of talk around him and then he got a really bad injury.
“Now, time and work is showing him to be back in the form of where he wants to be. He’s still a developing player – a very young man. I have to see the bigger picture.
“Callum has hundreds of games in front of him. He will have a big impact. He might not like it, but I have to look around and ask who else do I take out.
“Tottenham have Gareth Bale on the bench, Dele Alli not there.”
Lampard revealed he had had talks with Hudson-Odoi, who is set to be recalled tonight at Sevilla but has started only one league game this season: “Callum took it very well. His attitude is bang on.
“It’s not an easy conversation. He will get minutes tonight and it’s up to him to show he deserves to start. There’s competition – that’s the reality at Chelsea.
“We have elite players desperate to play, but I have to leave them out.
“I spoke to him. He is making progression, getting better. I want to see him keeping that progression going.
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“If there are times when he’s not starting I want him to stay positive. He has hundreds of game ahead of him.
“I have to leave out four or five players per game. If I thought about every player and the risk of it I would never make a decision.”
Brazil midfielder Jorginho, another finding it hard to get into the team, said: “I’m OK. When the call comes I’m working hard to be prepared.”
Chelsea, who are already through to the last 16, want a win to help them win Group C tonight and could also have USA winger Christian Pulisic back.