DBasia.news – Thomas Tuchel admits it is unfair for him to frequently ask Callum Hudson-Odoi to play at full-back. But Tuchel feels the Chelsea youngster needs to be encouraged to go beyond his limits.
Hudson-Odoi appeared as a starter when Chelsea defeated Norwich 7-0 in the Premier League last weekend. This is something that was rare in Tuchel’s time in charge.
Hudson-Odoi, often used as a right-back under Tuchel, played a more forward role against the Cannaries. The German manager admitted that the change in position was meant to provide a challenge for the player. “I think he needs that.”
“For me, he needs that. These quality players sometimes hear too much on how good they are,” Tuchel said as quoted by Goal.
Tuchel said that the job of a striker in general is to score goals and provide assists. The task given to Hudson-Odoi to operate more often as a full-back, is to help the player cross the limits of the 20-year-old’s potential.
“But you need to prove it. For strikers it’s easy, just get the statistics and give assists and goals. Playing in other positions is what he needs to show,” explained the former Paris Saint-Germain manager.
Tuchel, who led the Blues to win the Champions League last season, used only three strikers in his main composition to displace Hudson-Odoi from his original position.
“We are aware that it may be a little unfair to ask him to play too often at right-wing where he is not showing his full potential,” said Tuchel.
“We are aware of that, so there is always change. Right now we think we have found a way to push it to the limit and this could change every week.”