Paul Merson has opined that Manchester United should sign Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi in the summer to catch up to their rivals.
In his column on Daily Star, Paul Merson has made a transfer suggestion to Manchester United. The former Arsenal superstar has claimed that Callum Hudson-Odoi, in addition to a couple of other young English stars, is exactly what the fallen giants need to catch their rivals and return to their pomp.
Callum Hudson-Odoi already had a lot of excitement around his talent, even without making a first-team appearance for Chelsea in a competitive setting. And, the hype has only increased since the turn of the year, wherein the young winger has started garnering more minutes under his belt.
Now very much a regular part of the first-team squad, the teenage prodigy has also gone on to make his England debut this year and is naturally being primed for big things. But, for a long time, speculation has been rife about his Chelsea future, with Manchester United among those that have been rumoured to be interested in swooping him away.
The Red Devils have been in the doldrums for well over half-a-decade, with only three major honours to show for in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. The permanent appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the Manchester United boss too, seems to have been counterproductive so far, with form taking a tumble in recent weeks.
The Norwegian has insisted that he will take ruthless action in the summer transfer window to overhaul his squad. But, before then, there are a few issues, as far as incomings are concerned. The right wing slot, in particular, needs attention, and Hudson-Odoi could be just what the doctor ordered for Manchester United to that end.
And, Paul Merson has opined that Manchester United should launch the offensive for the Chelsea star in the summer transfer window, in addition to Jadon Sancho and Declan Rice, in order to return to their dominant best.
“If they’re not in the Champions League next season they won’t be able to attract any really big, world-class names either. But if they invest in younger talent like Rice, Sancho and Hudson-Odoi they would be getting players who could make an impact straight away but also get better.”
“As a Chelsea fan I wouldn’t like to see Hudson-Odoi leave but from United’s point of view what a signing he would be. He looks like he has big future and he took his England debut in his stride. That’s a very good sign if you ask me. Put those two [Hudson-Odoi and Sancho] either side of Rashford and that front three would be feared around Europe. I think it ticks all the boxes.”
Indeed, Hudson-Odoi’s signing could help Manchester United on multiple accounts as he could also help Solskjaer mould him in his image while being a star ready to make an immediate impact. But, it remains to be seen if signing him would be possible, with Chelsea eager to tie him down to a new deal and keen to hold on to him desperately due to their looming transfer ban.
