Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi trains hard for Champions League after Thomas Tuchel's rebuke - in pictures
Chelsea take on Atletico Madrid in round of 16 first leg on Tuesday
February 23, 2021
Callum Hudson-Odoi exuded positive energy during training for Chelsea's Champions League match against Atletico Madrid, showing no signs of hurt after his 31-minute substitute appearance during Saturday's 1-1 draw at Southampton.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel withdrew the England international in the 76th minute at St Mary's following his half-time introduction. Tuchel even called out Hudson-Odoi's attitude.
“With Hudson I was not happy with the energy and attitude in counter-pressing so I decided to take him off because I demand a lot,” Tuchel had said.
But despite the harsh words, Tuchel on Monday said Hudson-Odoi will be part of the Blues travelling squad for their Champions League round of 16 first leg on Tuesday.
Coronavirus travel concerns mean the tie will be played in Bucharest, not Spain and Hudson-Odoi is in line to feature.
"We decided to speak to him in front of the whole group because I had my reasons to do it," Tuchel explained.
"Was it the right decision? I don't know but it was my decision in this moment. For us in the group, we spoke as a whole group to not make it bigger than it is because for us it was not a big thing.
"Sometimes you reflect why you do it, should you do it because sometimes maybe the media and family make it bigger than it was meant. So I did it and we had the only reaction that we wanted.
"He went back to normal mood, to a good mood, to a smile, to training and the next day very, very good training and today. And that's it.
"I already said after the game this was the decision for today, this was the lesson to learn from today for him and for me also and we go on and then it is forgotten."
Published: February 23, 2021 08:20 AM
