Callum Hudson-Odoi told to join Newcastle amid 'motivation' dig - pundit
Noel Whelan has urged Chelsea fringe man Callum Hudson-Odoi to join Newcastle this summer in order to force his way back into the England reckoning.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 21-year-old has become "too relaxed" at Stamford Bridge after signing a bumper contract in 2019.
According to The Sun (6 July), Newcastle could turn attention to signing Hudson-Odoi this summer after failing with an initial approach for Everton winger Anthony Gordon.
The three-cap England international, who is under contract until June 2024, made his last Three Lions appearance in November 2019.
The winger made just 22 starts during the 2021-22 season, notching three goals and six assists.
When asked if Hudson-Odoi could reignite his career with a move to St James' Park, Whelan told Football Insider's Ewan Kingsbury: “Yeah, I think so.
“With Raheem Sterling coming in at Chelsea and the other wingers already ahead of him – it looks like he is well down the pecking order.
“It seems like he has possibly gotten a bit too relaxed after signing that new contract. He’s happy to be at a club like Chelsea, but is he really fighting for his place?
“To get into the England squad these days, you have to be playing week-in, week-out – and he’s not doing that.
“It’s really important that he gets out this summer. Whether it’s a season-long loan or a permanent deal, it would probably suit Newcastle.
“He can find that confidence, belief, and motivation again through more game time if he does make this move.”