Linked with a Bundesliga move for quite some time, Chelsea youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi has now been subject to back to back bids from German giants Bayern Munich. An opening offer of €14.5 million was rejected last week with Bayern following up with a second bid on Monday. Chelsea rejected a fresh new €22.5m bid with the London club demanding a fee closer to €40m. This puts Bayern under pressure with Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig also announcing their interest in the 18-year-old.
This is where Bayern Munich are at a disadvantage. Both Dortmund and Leipzig can offer Hudson-Odoi regular game time, as both teams look to involve youth when possible. Playing time is the reason this transfer saga continues to go on as Chelsea refuse to give Hudson-Odoi the playing time he deserves. Both Dortmund and Leipzig will look to take advantage of something Bayern simply can’t guarantee the promising youngster. This is when Bayern’s spending power comes into play. Sporting Director Hasan Salihamidžić can and should offer more for the player. Outbidding their rivals and paying Hudson-Odoi a better wage is one thing but convincing the player to join is another. After all, this is all about playing time.
One of Bayern Munich’s key motivations should be the past, missing out on promising youth prospects. Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho is a prime example. Hasan Salihamidžić recently confirmed that the club missed out on the Englishman, with the promise of regular football at Dortmund too good to turn down. This is where Bayern must learn from their mistakes. The minutes Bayern couldn’t offer Sancho will soon be available, making the timing of this potential transfer perfect. As club legends, Arjen Robben and Franck Ribéry prepare to move on, meaning game-time will soon be available. Hudson-Odoi can fill the void, bringing pace, skill and youth to a team looking to get younger. Replacing Robben and Ribéry won’t be easy but as Bayern look to learn from their mistakes, Hudson-Odoi is an ideal long-term addition to the squad.
Attempting to get younger, Bayern will look to build a core of wingers that bring three key aspects of their game to the pitch; pace, versatility and skill. Relying on Robben and Ribéry has seen all three displayed on a weekly basis, but all good things must come to an end. It’s time for a new generation to prove themselves, a generation led by Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry. With the duo starting out wide, Bayern could pair new signing Alphonso Davies and Hudson-Odoi together as understudies. An electric foursome, Bayern would be set on the wings for the foreseeable future.
Despite their efforts to keep him, Hudson-Odoi should leave Chelsea. A lack of first-team football, a manager who favours experience over youth and the potential arrival of Christian Pulisic are all good reasons to move on. Following in Sancho’s footsteps could see Hudson-Odoi play more, improve as a player and put himself in contention for a place in the England squad. As for remaining at Chelsea, Hudson-Odoi’s options are limited. With no clear route into the team, the teenager risks halting his progression. Chelsea is not a club for the young, Hudson-Odoi should be playing for a team that wants him, not just as an asset but as a player who can contribute on a weekly basis.
Expect Bayern to make a third, maybe even a fourth bid for Callum Hudson-Odoi, as the Bavarian club see the talented youngster as the future in Munich, instead of an underappreciated prospect in London.
By James Jukes.
