/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63655144/1144416386.jpg.0.jpg)
UPDATE:
Hudson-Odoi has confirmed the injury as a ruptured Achilles, putting an end to his 2018-19 season and probably keeping him out until early 2020 at least.
PREVIOUSLY:
Gianfranco Zola, taking post-match media duties from Maurizio Sarri after Monday’s disappointing, frustrating 2-2 draw against Burnley, has confirmed that Callum Hudson-Odoi’s injury is “not looking very good”. The Chelsea assistant manager also confirmed the problem as an Achilles injury, rather than a calf, ankle, or foot.
Full quote from #cfc assistant #Zola on #HudsonOdoi injury. Speaking to BBC, he said: "It doesn’t look very good unfortunately. It’s a problem with his Achilles tendon. Tomorrow we'll know exactly what the problem is."
— Simon Johnson (@sjstandardsport) April 22, 2019
Coaches and managers tend to put a positive spin on most injury news, which makes Zola’s confirmation even more worrying. While Hudson-Odoi was able to limp off the pitch with the help of the physios, an Achilles injury can be devastating.
Zola says Hudson-Odoi has a "serious" injury to his Achilles tendon #cfc
— Liam Twomey (@liam_twomey) April 22, 2019
As the BBC’s injury expert Ben Dinnery points out, a ruptured Achilles tends to rule out players for 6-9 months, with additional recovery time expected afterwards to get back into full match fitness and confidence.
Average RTP Ruptured Achilles - 219 days
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) April 22, 2019
Yarmolenko - 184*
Bravo - 245*
Koscielny 207 days
Leroy Fer 189 days
Nathan Dyer - 222 days
(*current.... and counting)
If confirmed, Hudson-Odoi will miss the start of 2019/20.#CFC pic.twitter.com/tS3mjnwPvN
The full extent of the injury will not confirmed until tomorrow at the earliest after Hudson-Odoi can be examined by the medical team and a proper diagnosis can be made.
We can only hope the news is not the worst...