FLORIDA CUP: CHARLOTTE FC VS. CHELSEA FC

July 20, 2022

Callum Hudson-Odoi

Bank of America Stadium

Chelsea FC

Media Conference

Q. Would you say this is quite an important preseason personally as well as the club?

CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI: Yeah, definitely. Obviously, I think I didn't do last year because of injury and stuff like that, so I think obviously this preseason is very good for me.

As I said, I've been injured for the last four months. Obviously, near the end of the season. It is definitely important for myself to get back fit.

Obviously, making myself stronger, faster, all the stuff that I missed at the end of the season, so it's definitely important for myself and definitely for the team. I think, obviously, we're still getting fit. We're still working hard. Still pushing ourselves to the max in every training session, every game. We're still going. As I said, we're still aiming to get fitter.

Q. (Inaudible).

CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI: It was definitely scary. I think obviously when it happened, it was very like a freak injury. It was weird. I didn't know how it even came upon. Just one day I was meant to go training, and I felt very stiff in my body and my legs. I was, like, well, no really power to keep the ball or strike the ball or even pass it. It was definitely a weird one.

As I said, I was working hard to get myself back into training, back into games. Recovery was going well. Everything was going good, and we stuck to the plan, and it helped me to get back to where I am.

There are concerns with what happened, but as I said, we've done a lot of work with the team. Everybody on the staff was trying to help me get back, so it all went to plan, so it was good.

Q. Do you feel entirely normal now, back to 100% after it?

CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI: I definitely feel like my power has come back to where it was. I think, obviously, as I said, it was difficult to even pass 10 yards, and it was one of those injuries where you didn't understand how it happened or why it happened.

As I said, I feel much better than where I was. There's still a lot to improve on and still a lot to get faster and stronger. When it comes to fitness, when you are working hard and training hard, I think that you get more fit or stronger and build better as well. I'm feeling better.

Q. Raheem as well arriving in the dressing room, and talk about what that's been like.

CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI: Yeah, it's had a big influence. I think being the player he is, top, top player, I think what he has done for Man City and his country, he has done amazing. I think, obviously, for myself in the same position as he plays, it's definitely good to look up to someone like them and see the goals and assists he has scored and the way he plays and dribbles.

It's definitely a good thing to look at and know that you have a person like him in the changing room that wants to lead the team and try to win games and win trophies. It's a big character that helps all of us in the changing room and on the pitch in training sessions as well.

Q. Just on the position Thomas has you -- you are drifting around. Do you enjoy that role?

CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI: I've always said that my most natural position is the left side of -- left winger or left-10, wherever it is. I'm comfortable playing wherever he puts me at the end of the day, but at the same time you've just got to play your best no matter what the game is and what position you're playing.

I said to myself -- I said my left-10 position or the left wing is always my preferred and most natural, but whatever the manager plays me, it's okay.

Q. Can I take a check on your situation? We've seen a few players move from England to Ghana. There's been a lot of speculation about yourself. We are getting to the stage where you could make that decision. Have you made any decisions yet?

CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI: Right now I'm just focusing on the club. I think, obviously, right now I'm trying to get fit and stronger and be back to myself before any decisions were made. Right now I'm just focusing on club, and, obviously, maybe at the end of the line we'll see.