Everton could move for Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi after squad announcement

Everton could now make a move for Chelsea outcast Callum Hudson-Odoi, after the forward was not given a squad number in the club’s recent announcement.

Chelsea released their squad numbers for the 2023/24 season via their official website [8 August], and one notable absentee was Everton target Hudson-Odoi whose long-term number 20 has been given to new arrival Andrey Santos.

Everton were linked with a move for the winger by 90min [14 July], and reports have suggested Chelsea rejected an opening bid from Fulham [Daily Mail, 16 July] which was believed to be around £4million. Fulham are now in advanced talks to sign Toffees winger Demarai Gray.

Hudson-Odoi would be a good addition to an Everton squad that are greatly lacking in wingers, especially with the exit of Gray looking more likely with each passing day.

As things stand, Gray, Dwight McNeil and Arnaut Danjuma are the only recognised wide players at the club, while Alex Iwobi is capable of filling in although he performs better in the middle, and James Garner has been used as a makeshift wide player on occasion by Dyche.

The Chelsea winger has failed to live up to the lofty expectations placed on him as a teenager after Chelsea turned down a £70million offer from Bayern Munich just three years ago [Sky Sports].

Last season was spent on loan at Bayer Leverkusen, where he managed just 14 Bundesliga appearances and averaged just 43 minutes per appearance, scoring no goals and getting just one assist.

On paper, Hudson-Odoi probably isn’t at the level you’d want in a new signing. His poor form has gone on for too long to be a coincidence, and his confidence is likely at an all-time low.

But at the price that has been quoted for him, surely it’s a gamble worth taking on a man who was once supposed to be the next big thing at Stamford Bridge.

In other Everton news, the club could be set for another transfer blow as Leeds and Celtic lead the race.