Aston Villa have been linked with Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi.
According to the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa wanted to land Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi over the summer – but now have different priorities.
Hudson-Odoi, 17, is one of the most exciting teenagers in English football, and whilst he featured for Chelsea in pre-season, he has found first-team chances hard to come by under Maurizio Sarri.
Chelsea may look to loan Hudson-Odoi out in January, and Villa were keen over the summer, leading to questions about a potential January move from the Championship side – especially with John Terry on board at Villa Park.
However, the Birmingham Mail report that Villa now have different priorities, and new boss Dean Smith is subsequently unlikely to make a move to bring in the winger in 2019.
Hudson-Odoi is undoubtedly talented, and could provide a real spark for Villa, but other positions must be prioritised before another winger can be brought in.
Villa already have Yannick Bolasie, Anwar El Ghazi and Albert Adomah at Smith’s disposal, as well as players who can play out wide if needed in Birkir Bjarnason, Ahmed Elmohamady and Jack Grealish.
Another winger is far from what Villa need, and the focus should instead be on bringing in a centre back and left back to bolster Smith’s defensive options.
Those are two positions Villa must address in January, and with five players already on loan at Villa Park, using another loan spot on another winger would be bizarre, meaning Smith is making a smart decision in looking elsewhere.
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