In our look at the latest Chelsea-related news stories from the media, Charly Musonda states his determination to play again for Chelsea after losing a season to injury, a photo of a very young Callum Hudson-Odoi celebrating a goal with Samuel Eto’o in 2014 is attracting much attention and former Blues striker Fernando Torres speaks ahead of his final match in Japan on Friday.
These stories are samples pulled from external media sources. They do not represent the views or position of Chelsea Football Club.
Musonda determined to play for Chelsea again
Charly Musonda has told the Independent he is determined to break back into the Chelsea team after being sidelined by a bad knee injury for much of the past year.
In a lengthy interview, the Belgian midfielder spoke about the frustration he has felt from not being able to play and his strong desire to bounce back after his injury nightmare, which followed a disappointing half-season on loan at Celtic.
‘The last year has been the toughest of my life,” said the 22-year-old. ‘I’ve suffered a lot this year. Sometimes, it can get very lonely. Every morning I woke up with the same thought: to play. It’s only when it’s taken away that you understand how much you love football. I didn’t realise how much I could miss it.
‘I know people will doubt me because, after a year-and-a-half, they don’t know if I’m still the same player, but deep down, I know how good I can be. I want to show the world what I can do and, if I prove I’m still the same Charly Musonda, I’m 100% confident I can break back into the Chelsea team.
‘Maybe it’s me being a bit naive or overconfident or just believing I can do it, but that has been my dream since I was 15 years old and that’s never changed. I want to wear the Chelsea shirt one more time.’
Musonda is spending the season on loan at Vitesse Arnhem but hopes to make enough of an impression over the course of the next year in order to fulfil his desire to play for the Blues.
‘Now I’m at Vitesse, I don’t feel stuck or left behind because I know once I’m playing again, soon everybody will be watching,” he said.
‘I just want one more chance to play for Chelsea. Before my time had always been about progression. There’d never been any setbacks.
‘I’ve changed a lot but that’s normal. I’m a better person now as well as a better player. If I can come back, it will be a testament to my talent but it will also show the type of person I have become.’
Old photo of Hudson-Odoi and Eto’o attracts interest
A photo taken five years ago showing Samuel Eto’o celebrating a Chelsea goal with a very young Callum Hudson-Odoi has attracted interest from a number of media outlets including the Sun and Daily Mail.
Taken after Eto’o had completed his hat-trick in a 3-1 victory over Manchester United in January 2014, the image shows the Cameroonian striker shaking both hands with the future Chelsea star in the corner area between the Matthew Harding Stand and West Stand.
Hudson-Odoi, who had joined Chelsea at the age of seven, was 13 at the time and was on ball boy duty for the game at Stamford Bridge when Eto’o ran in his direction after turning the ball home for his third goal of the game.
‘The feel-good moment shows a teenage Hudson-Odoi in complete awe of Eto'o following his impressive performance under the lights in west London,’ stated the Daily Mail.
‘The photo shows the dazzling winger was every bit the star-struck youngster as those who idolise him nowadays,’ added the Sun.
Torres looks forward to final game
According to Sky Sports, former Chelsea striker Fernando Torres feels he can retire from the game with no regrets after winning trophies and respect as a player during his 18-year career.
Reflecting on his career, which included victories with Chelsea in the Champions League in 2012 and Europa League the following year, the 35-year-old felt he had plenty to be thankful for.
‘It's been an amazing 18 years, more than 18 years playing football,’ said Torres, who will hang up his boots after playing for Sagan Tosu in their J.League match against Vissel Kobe.
‘I won many things. I won the respect of world football, which is the most important thing for me, and now I have only one game left.
‘So, I will make sure that I will enjoy from the first until the last minute and hopefully we can get the three points, which are very important for us, and hopefully I can score my last goal at home in front of Sagan Tosu fans.
‘It's going to be a really special game for me, but it's not going to change the way I feel about my career. It's been fantastic. Much better than I could expect when I was a kid. So, I'm really grateful for what I did and really grateful to all my fans around the world.’