Chelsea boss Frank Lampard backs struggling youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi to bounce back

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard backs struggling youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi to overcome his current poor form.

The England international was not up to his lofty standards in Chelsea’s 2-0 Boxing Day loss to Southampton.

The Blues fans have been unimpressed by the 19-year-old this year since his return from a long term injury back in the latter part of the previous season.

Lampard has urged the fans to give the youngster some time to become back to his normal self as he is still trying to shake off the Achilles rupture he suffered.

In Chelsea‘s loss to the Saints, Hudson-Odoi lost possession in the build-up to Michael Obafemi’s opener, which helped condemn the Blues to consecutive Premier League home defeats for the first time since 2011.

Lampard, however, continues to back the wonderkid as he stated that he was content with the effort that Hudson-Odoi put in and his willingness to create chances.

Hudson-Odoi suffered his Achilles rupture last April and only returned in September and thus, missed a total of 11 games for Chelsea.

The electrifying winger had an impressive breakout campaign last season and proved to be one of the world’s best young talents around.

He featured 10 times in the Premier League last season and chipped in with an assist in what were mostly substitute appearances but it was his quality in the Europa League that caught the eye.

Hudson-Odoi featured nine times in the competition and was a crucial part in Chelsea’s run to the Europa League title having scored 4 goals and assisted twice.

Despite missing both the semi-finals and finals due to his injury, his performances in the group stages helped him earn a call-up to the England squad.

He was brought on by Gareth Southgate in England’s 5-0 win over the Czech Republic in the Euros qualifiers and started the next game against Montenegro where he managed to grab an assist in a 5-1 win for the Three Lions.

The youngster’s talent was so evident that in the last winter transfer window, Bayern Munich were in hot pursuit of his services to replace their iconic wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery.

The winger was extremely close to leaving Stamford Bridge after the Bavarians bid £40m for him when he had just played 6 top-flight games but Chelsea rejected Bayern’s bid and helped convince Hudson-Odoi to stay.

The academy graduate will have to hit top form quickly as Chelsea have hit a rough patch under new boss Lampard and will have to get some wins under their belt to hold on to a top-four place.