Now that Tuchel is set to become England manager, Hudson-Odoi’s international prospects could improve, but, interestingly, the German often saw the winger playing in a different position.
During his time at Chelsea, Tuchel spoke about the idea of Hudson-Odoi playing at wing-back.
Tuchel said that Hudson-Odoi is capable of playing in that position on either side, and perhaps that’s a role he could be utilised in with England.
“He is able to play as a right wing-back, left wing-back, he can play in these extra positions, he knows the group and we know him very well,” Tuchel said.
“For him personally it would maybe have been a very good opportunity but for us it was simply impossible.”
Tuchel would admit later in the season that it was sometimes unfair to play Hudson-Odoi as a wing-back
‘Was it always fair to let him play as a wing-back? No, maybe not. He had to take this for the team and he did. He was always positive. He showed the right spirit,” Tuchel said.
He had a very good pre-season where we could see what he was capable of on the left side. He struggled a bit in the beginning to prove that point during matches but now with the injuries it was needed to show up and deliver.
‘This is what he did, it’s what he needed to get a place in the team. It is all about performance, that is what he shows in the moment.
What Hudson-Odoi said about Thomas Tuchel
Tuchel is clearly a fan of Hudson-Odoi in that wing-back role, but the same can’t be said the other way around.
Indeed, Hudson-Odoi admitted that he’s not a fan of playing in that position when speaking to The Athletic a couple of years ago.
“At times, it was okay. But sometimes in my head, I’m thinking, ‘What am I doing, why am I in this position? I’m more defending than attacking’” Hudson-Odoi said.
“No matter where I was playing, I was always trying to do my best and help the team — it’s not always about myself. I never argued; I just got on with it.
“But in order to get the best out of yourself, you have to play where you can feel most comfortable and do what you can do best.”
Hudson-Odoi did then say that he did like Tuchel as a manager.
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