Callum Hudson-Odoi injury: Chelsea forward confirms season is over after suffering ruptured Achilles tendon

England teenager will not play again this season after suffering a serious injury in the 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge on Monday night

Jack de Menezes
Tuesday 23 April 2019 07:43 BST
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Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi has confirmed that his season is over after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon injury in Monday's 2-2 draw with Burnley.

Hudson-Odoi, 18, had to be helped off the pitch shortly before half-time when he was replaced by Pedro.

Chelsea were initially hopefully that the initial prognosis was not as serious as a rupture, but the forward posted a message in Twitter late on Monday night to confirm the worst.

“Really gutted to end my season with a Ruptured Achilles,” Hudson-Odoi said. “Gotta work hard and try and come back stronger for next season!!!”

Chelsea are yet to confirm the news, but speaking after match assistant manager Gianfranco Zola was downbeat on Hudson-Odoi’s injury.

"It's not an easy one. I think it is a serious injury. It's on his Achilles tendon. I cannot tell you the full extent of it," Zola said after attending the post-match press conference instead of manager Maurizio Sarri.

The Italian said he could not comment reports that Hudson-Odoi had ruptured his tendon.

“I don't know – he'll have to have an examination, but it's not looking good. I don't know if it's ruptured,” Zola added.

If Hudson-Odoi has ruptured his Achilles, the teenager could be facing as long as six months out of action, which would rule him out of the start of next season as well as this summer’s Nations League finals with England.

Callum Hudson-Odoi suffered a ruptured Achilles during Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Burnley
Callum Hudson-Odoi suffered a ruptured Achilles during Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Burnley (Reuters)

Hudson-Odoi received his first England start last month even as he struggled to break into the Chelsea first team.

Bayern Munich said they want to sign him from Chelsea, leading to speculation he could be sold during the close season, but the injury could result in having a major impact on his future given that his current contract expires at the end of next season.

Hudson-Odoi had to be helped from the pitch by the Chelsea medical staff
Hudson-Odoi had to be helped from the pitch by the Chelsea medical staff (PA)

Chelsea are keen on tying Hudson-Odoi down to a new contract, but the academy product has been reluctant to agree any terms due to his lack of playing time this season.

Additional reporting by Reuters

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