Callum Hudson-Odoi and Malang Sarr both had ups and downs during the course of 2021/22, with injuries and fatigue playing a big part in their seasons at similar times, but for very different reasons.

While Hudson-Odoi found fitness problems ruling him out for much of the latter part of the campaign, Sarr remained patient on the bench for long spells before being given his chance by the absence of others at the turn of the year.

Callum’s switching role

At the beginning of the campaign, it seemed Thomas Tuchel viewed Hudson-Odoi primarily as a more attacking option at wing-back, as he filled in for Reece James and Cesar Azpilicueta on the right side, adding tactical flexibility for our head coach, as seen when he started in that role as we beat Villarreal in the UEFA Super Cup in the first match of the season.

He continued as a wing-back in a pair of wins over Aston Villa, in the Premier League and Carabao Cup, the first of which was his 100th senior appearance for the club. But it was after being given the chance in a more advanced role in the home win over Southampton that he started to show a more productive streak, earning a run in the team in that position and scoring his first goal in his next game, a 7-0 thrashing of Norwich City.

It was in the Champions League group stage Hudson-Odoi produced some of his best work, though, providing assists home and away against Malmo, his cross for Hakim Ziyech to score the only goal in the away game particularly important, before getting his first Champions League goal at Stamford Bridge as we dismantled Juventus 4-0.

Stop, start, stop

However, not long after that goal against the Italians, Callum’s season was interrupted when he tested positive for Covid. It was a setback he seemed capable of overcoming, though, as he created our first two goals in a 3-1 win at Aston Villa on his return on Boxing Day. That was followed by a goal in the FA Cup third round and another assist for Ziyech, to open the scoring in a win over Tottenham.

Arguably the high point of Hudson-Odoi’s season came in early February, when we travelled to Abu Dhabi for the FIFA Club World Cup. Starting as a wing-back, this time on the left flank, in the final against Palmeiras, it was the 21-year-old’s cross which allowed Romelu Lukaku to open the scoring on our way to an extra-time victory.

Unfortunately, injury concerns forced Tuchel to rest Hudson-Odoi on the team’s return to London. The winger attempted to return the next month, starting our FA Cup fifth round win at Luton, but to no avail, as that turned out to be his only appearance after the victory at the Club World Cup.

Sarr’s gentle start

After joining Thomas Tuchel's squad for pre-season, having spent his first year with the Blues on loan at Porto, Sarr was eased into the action during the early stages of the campaign, as our head coach took the opportunity to take a look at the Frenchman in competitive action.

The defender made his Chelsea debut in the Carabao Cup against Aston Villa and featured throughout again as we beat Southampton in the next round, both on penalties following 1-1 draws at Stamford Bridge.

Between those two matches, his first Premier League appearance arrived, playing from the start and helping us keep a clean sheet in a 1-0 win away at Brentford, and did so again when we beat the same opponent in the Carabao Cup.

Earning trust

Knock-out football continued to provide the bulk of Sarr’s opportunities during the first half of the season. He featured regularly in both domestic cup competitions, including as a left-back when injuries and Covid resulted in Tuchel switching to a back four.

His performances in that role over the two legs of the Carabao Cup semi-final win over Tottenham in early January were particularly impressive, earning him further Premier League starts against Manchester City and Spurs that month as the depth of our squad was tested.

Having earned the trust of our head coach, he remained a regular part of the squad, coming off the bench in both of our matches as we triumphed at the FIFA Club World Cup in a run of appearances which lasted until mid-March. However, the return to fitness of other defenders meant that, although he was regularly among the substitutes for the rest of the season, he made just three appearances, with his only start coming in a 4-2 home defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League.

Callum Hudson-Odoi 2021/22 Chelsea stats

Appearances: 28

Starts: 22

Substituted: 16

Unused sub: 11

Minutes played: 1,974

Goals: 3

Assists: 8

Malang Sarr 2021/22 Chelsea stats

Appearances: 21

Starts: 16

Substituted: 2

Unused sub: 31

Minutes played: 1,712

Goals: 0

Assists: 0

Callum Hudson-Odoi Premier League appearances 2021/22

Callum Hudson-Odoi played 15 games in the Premier League for Chelsea this season, coming off the bench for four of them.

Callum Hudson-Odoi Champions League appearances 2021/22

Callum Hudson-Odoi made five appearances in the Champions League this season, three of them from the start.

Callum Hudson-Odoi FA Cup appearances 2021/22

Callum Hudson-Odoi played three games in the FA Cup this season, all of them from the start.

Callum Hudson-Odoi Carabao Cup appearances 2021/22

Callum Hudson-Odoi made three appearances in the Carabao Cup this season, all from the start.

Callum Hudson-Odoi UEFA Super Cup appearances 2021/22

Callum Hudson-Odoi started the UEFA Super Cup win over Villarreal.

Callum Hudson-Odoi FIFA Club World Cup appearances 2021/22

Callum Hudson-Odoi made one appearance in the Club World Cup, starting the final against Palmeiras.

Callum Hudson-Odoi goals 2021/22

Callum Hudson-Odoi scored three goals for Chelsea in 2021/22, one each in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

Malang Sarr Premier League appearances 2021/22

Malang Sarr played eight games in the Premier League for Chelsea this season, coming off the bench for two of them.

Malang Sarr Champions League appearances 2021/22

Malang Sarr made two appearances in the Champions League this season, one of them from the start.

Malang Sarr FA Cup appearances 2021/22

Malang Sarr played four games in the FA Cup this season, all of them from the start.

Malang Sarr Carabao Cup appearances 2021/22

Malang Sarr made five appearances in the Carabao Cup this season, all from the start.

Malang Sarr UEFA Super Cup appearances 2021/22

Malang Sarr did not play in the Super Cup.

Malang Sarr FIFA Club World Cup appearances 2021/22

Malang Sarr made two appearances in the Club World Cup, coming off the bench in both games.

Malang Sarr goals 2021/22

Malang Sarr did not score any goals for Chelsea in 2021/22.