Expert: Callum Hudson-Odoi may never shake ‘traumatic’ problem amid Chelsea latest
Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi may never be able to shake the psychological after-effects of his “traumatic” recent neurological issue.
That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in injury and data analysis.
Hudson-Odoi, 21, has not played since March due to a number of different injury concerns.
As relayed by the Daily Mail last Sunday (10 July), the forward confirmed that he had suffered a neurological issue caused by a tweaked nerve in his back.
The Cobham academy graduate subsequently lost power in his legs, leaving him unable to properly sprint or pass the ball.
Hudson-Odoi now says he is back to normal ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.
But Dinnery doubts that the mental impact of such a debilitating injury will never leave him.
“This goes back to that ruptured Achilles,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“That is the main cause of his altered gait and problems here. Hudson-Odoi said he felt he just didn’t have the power to execute those sprints and changes of direction.
“It was that alternation to his gait that caused that problem further up in his back. They have addressed that now and are getting that balance right.
“So, in essence, we shouldn’t now have any further complications as long as we can maintain that status quo.
“However, these athletes are so finely balanced that it doesn’t take a lot to put them off kilter. This is something Hudson-Odoi and the medical team will have to continue to work on.
“It will probably never go out the back of his mind in terms of the trauma. But there will be things incorporated in training that mean we don’t see any issues or flare-ups in the future.”
In other news, Chelsea star Ian Maatsen undergoing Burnley medical today.