Callum Hudson-Odoi Reveals How Frank Lampard Stopped Him From Sealing Bayern Munich Move

​Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi has admitted that he considered a move to Bayern Munich earlier in the year, only for new manager Frank Lampard to talk him out of it.

After struggling to break through into the Chelsea first team, Bayern launched a number of bids for Hudson-Odoi in January – the last of which was worth around £35m – but Chelsea refused to part with their young winger. He initially handed in a transfer request to force through the move but has since had a change of heart, penning a lucrative new contract at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking to the press while on international duty, Hudson-Odoi confessed that Lampard played a huge part in his decision to stay at the club after the boss told him how much he wanted the teenager at Stamford Bridge.

“It took just one conversation,” Hudson-Odoi said, via The Express. “He said he believes in me, wants me to work hard and if I believe in myself, then things will go well for me.

“He wants me to play for him. They were signs you want to hear from a manager. I was excited. It was exciting times at ​Chelsea – a new manager was coming in and you know he will play at least some of the youth boys.

“I’m really happy I stayed. I made the right decision. I’ve been there all my life. Loved the club from day one.

“I was thinking about ​Bayern. I wasn’t saying I was definitely going to sign, or not. There were times last year where I felt frustration, times when I wanted to play more. But at the same time, I thought: ‘This is the club that I’ve been at and this is where I want to become a key player.”

The 19-year-old has made 11 appearances in all competitions this season, but has recently lost his place to USA winger Christian Pulisic, whose goalscoring form has been vital to the Blues in recent weeks.

Hudson-Odoi confessed that Lampard does not take it easy on him, but admitted that he is happy to listen to the manager’s advice.

“The manager is hard on me – but he wants me to improve and keep getting better,” he explained. I always listen. I’m not there yet. I know I can get better.

“He is very strict on me. He wants to win and win in the best way, give the best performance. In that Grimsby game he told me at half-time, ‘Cal, do a couple of things better. Get into more pockets, run in behind defenders.’”

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