Leicester make approach for exciting England international winger

Leicester City are being heavily linked with a move for England international Callum Hudson-Odoi of Chelsea. Here is what you need to know.

From Domenico Berardi and Noni Madueke, to fears of Daniel James and lowly loan signings, this transfer window has promised much, delivered a lot, but still a winger has eluded Brendan Rodgers.

Now, this is no longer the case. Two England internationals are being lined up for a place in the Leicester side. Ademola Lookman was linked first – expected to be a loan with obligation to buy – and a new player has entered our crosshairs.

The wanted but not needed Callum Hudson-Odoi. Champions League winner and under the tutorage of brilliant coach Thomas Tuchel.

Let’s take a look at the news and what it could mean for our line-up.

Leicester City enquire for ‘CHO’

According to Adam Newson and CareFreeYouth, the Foxes are the club who have enquired for the permanent services of Hudson-Odoi.

It is not known whether or not this is an enquiry for a loan to buy or a permanent transfer now. Only time and the completion of a deal would tell which the King Power side prefer.

We also know that Leicester City are not alone in their pursuit of the young winger. Borussia Dortmund have also enquired, though Adam Newson reports this is for a season long loan.

Any deal would be exciting for Foxes supporters who are crying out for a first team right winger to improve the senior side and unseat Ayoze Perez from that right flank, thus allowing Ayo to return to the central positions he prefers.

The biggest deal of the window

There is no doubt in my mind of two facts. Should this be a permanent transfer now, then this would be the largest outlay the club would have to make. Further, it would be the most influential to our performances on the pitch.

Hudson-Odoi is an immense upgrade. Using SmarterScout, let me relay a few facts about this still-developing class act.

As a right winger, his key attributes does not include shooting. In fact, he is much more of a ball carrier and a progressive influence than anything else.

When he gets the ball, he tends to keep hold of it, scoring a 98/100 on the SmarterScout rankings for ball retention.

Beyond this he is disruptive and links up well with his team. CHO regularly gets himself involved in games, not remaining needlessly static. He gets into positions to receive the ball and pass to a teammate quickly. Creative and disruptive.

Last season, the exciting winger was the 11th highest contributor to Chelsea’s xG per 90 stats (Understat), a feat more impressive when you consider he had to contend with some brilliant attackers.

More impressive is where he stands judged on expected assists per 90. He is fourth behind the brilliant Mason Mount. He did not play as much as others, but was heavily involved in those minutes he played.

He would slot immediately into the first team, unseating Perez and Marc Albrighton on the right. Alongside a potential loan for Lookman for cover on the left, and this will be a 10/10 transfer window.