Callum Hudson-Odoi declines England U21 call-up to boost Chelsea FC chances under Thomas Tuchel

Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi turned down the chance to go away with England's U21s next month in order to stay with his club and work on his development, Lee Carsley has revealed.

The new Young Lions boss held talks with Hudson-Odoi, 20, ahead of naming his first squad on Friday and was told by the winger that he didn't feel the time was right to go away with England during the international break.

Carsley's side face Romania away before hosting Kosovo at Stadium MK during the break.

Hudson-Odoi was named in the U21s squad for the European Championship earlier this year but withdrew through injury as Aidy Boothroyd's side crashed out in the group stages.

Carsley, Boothroyd's successor, has named 13 uncapped players at this level in his squad but could not name Hudson-Odoi following talks with the Chelsea man and his advisors.

"Callum is a player that we really like," said Carsley.

"I’ve had some really good conversations with him and his advisor and Callum felt that it wasn’t the right time for him at the minute to come with England. He’s stayed back at Chelsea to work on his development there.

"I respected that decision and that was it really."

Hudson-Odoi will now spend the international break working with manager Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea's Cobham training ground.

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