Hudson-Odoi Chelsea 2019

Lampard hoping for Hudson-Odoi contract extension at Chelsea

Frank Lampard is hoping to see Callum Hudson-Odoi commit to a new contract at Chelsea which will bring any uncertainty regarding his future to a close.

The 18-year-old’s current deal at Stamford Bridge is due to expire in the summer of 2020.

He has attracted plenty of admiring glances from afar, with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich having tabled big-money bids during the winter transfer window.

Article continues below

Chelsea knocked those back as they have no intention of parting with an academy graduate who has matured into a senior England international.

The Blues have already tied fellow home-grown stars Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount to fresh terms, with the two highly-rated midfielders penning five-year deals.

Lampard wants Hudson-Odoi to be next, with the talented teenager nursing his way back from an Achilles injury at present.

The Blues boss told reporters: “There are a few younger players and some have signed, and some will sign in the next month or so or in the early part of the season.

“It is important we move forward on that and I know as a club we are doing our best to from top to bottom.

“Mason signing is great because of the impressive loans he has had. He is part of the first-team squad. Ruben has just signed which is great and I want Callum to sign and stay here.

“He has come through the academy and can be a big player for Chelsea and England. We, as a club, want him to stay for sure and I think he knows he has a manager here who will want to work with him to improve.

“That will take hard work. Nothing is given, especially when you are 18, but with all the attributes Callum has we want him to come through and be a big player for us now and in the future.”

N'Golo Kante

Hudson-Odoi has not formed part of Chelsea’s pre-season plans as he works on recovering full fitness, while N’Golo Kante is another to have missed out on the early days of Lampard’s reign.

The World Cup winner picked up knee and hamstring problems towards the end of the 2018-19 campaign, but the Blues are optimistic that the Frenchman will be ready to kick off the new Premier League season away at Manchester United on August 11.

Lampard added: “I am confident.

“I hate making too many predictions. It is an injury that came from the back end of last season.

“With the amount of games he's played in the last few seasons it is important to be cautious, and with the type of player that he is, a very energetic and a fit lad, meant that pushing him at the start of pre-season was not necessary.

“We'll take it a bit easy at the start and hopefully he'll be ready for the start of the season.”

Advertisement