Thomas Tuchel has already been 'disappointed' by Nottingham Forest star's England snub

New England boss Thomas Tuchel worked with Callum Hudson-Odoi when he was Chelsea manager and at a time when he was in contention for the full Three Lions squad

Thomas Tuchel has been confirmed as successor to Gareth Southgate and the next manager of the England national football team.

The 51-year-old is a serial winner with a reputation for building teams that compete for the biggest titles in the sport. That will be his brief with the Three Lions.

His name is already well-known in English football, having spent 20 months in charge of Chelsea, whom he helped win a second Champions League trophy, also adding the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA World Club Cup.

During his time at Stamford Bridge, from January 2021 to September 2022, Tuchel worked with current Nottingham Forest star Callum Hudson-Odoi, handing the then teenager a reasonably regular supply of first team football before sending him on loan to Bayer Leverkusen – a month before the German left the Blues.

The prospect of the pair being reunited at international level could come with a caveat for Hudson-Odoi though, much of his game-time under Tuchel at Chelsea came not as a winger – but in a different position.

Tuchel also worked with Hudson-Odoi at a time when, in August 2021, he rejected the chance to play for England Under-21s – he did so having already won three senior caps in 2019 and with Tuchel saying he deserved a call-up to the full squad. Instead Hudson-Odoi chose to remain with his club to press his case for more domestic football.

“It’s his decision and nothing to do with my opinion or the club’s. If I speculate a little bit I think it’s about disappointment that he is not nominated for the first team, but at the same time maybe he did not have enough minutes to be nominated for the first team. I could see the upgrade in having some minutes and being in a leading role for the Under 21s, but he decided differently so he will deal with the consequences.”

Then speaking in September 2021 Tuchel said of Hudson-Odoi: “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.”

However, Tuchel would go on to admit it was a big ask for the youngster: “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.

“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.”

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In a interview with The Athletic in October 2022, Hudson-Odoi addressed that situation, saying: “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’. 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.

“I would never bad mouth or say anything bad about him. He was always a good guy, a good man, on the pitch and off the pitch. It was just with so many great players in the team, you have to obviously fight for your position and work your hardest.

“It was definitely difficult at times with him but you have to get on with it and do what you can.”

What international prospects do you think Hudson-Odoi has? Have your say here

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