CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI has told racist fans: You will only make us stronger.
The winger said every Chelsea player rallied round team-mate Antonio Rudiger over claims he suffered racist abuse at Spurs.
Callum Hudson-Odoi says the ordeal Antonio Rudiger went through has only pulled Chelsea closer together against racismCredit: Reuters
Chelsea players united behind Antonio Rudiger following the incident at SpursCredit: Reuters
A police and club investigation failed to weed out a culprit but Hudson-Odoi insists the incident has united the squad even more.
He told SunSport: “We have to back each other no matter what. Every player has spoken to Toni and we’ve all comforted him.
“We would do the same with any player — the bond in the changing room is very good because we all connect with each other.
“No matter what happens, we will all come through it together.”
Blues star Hudson-Odoi says he heard racist abuse while playing at Dynamo Kiev last season.
Rudi is our big brother
ANTONIO RUDIGER is Chelsea’s big-brother watching over his team-mates.
The German defender, 26, and Callum Hudson-Odoi were in rehab together as they recovered from serious injuries over the summer and it has brought two good pals even closer.
Hudson-Odoi said: “In the gym we pushed each other harder. Toni was the one who was always there, like a bigger brother.
“When I was injured and at home he would call me to make sure all was well. He didn’t have to do that. He didn’t have to come and visit me. But he did.
“I really appreciate what he did for me. Those times were tough. I had family around me every day but at the same time having Toni there was another big factor.
“I wanted to get back to the club and see him. He’d reassure me everything was going to be OK.
“Off the pitch Toni is a nice person to be around. He is fun and he loves dancing. Sometimes it’s good to enjoy the good vibe.
“No matter what the song is he will dance, to provide energy. No matter what the result he believes in positive energy.”
He was also part of the England squad targeted by xenophobic fans in Montenegro in March.
He said: “I don’t even like talking about racism. It puts me off certain things and it just should not be in the game of football.
“When you hear stuff like it, you think, ‘Why are you even thinking like that?’.
“It affects some people mentally because you can’t react in a certain way, you have to be careful.
“We have to focus on the game, report it and get on with it.
“It’s very frustrating and it gets me angry at times. But I try to stay calm and focus on the game.
“Discrimination is terrible. You should never hear stuff just because we are not the same skin tone as you are or look like you.”
Rudiger claims he heard monkey chants aimed at him during the Premier League match at Tottenham on December 23.
Callum Hudson-Odoi describes the racist abuse he, Danny Rose and Raheem Sterling suffered playing for England against Montenegro
Spurs say they investigated his case thoroughly but neither they not the Met can find a perpetrator — despite dozens of CCTV cameras scanning the crowd.
However, Hudson-Odoi said: “Toni is OK. You can’t be down about life.
“He heard something on the pitch, he has reported it and if nothing is happening then there is nothing else he can do.”
Chelsea youngsters Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Fikayo Tomori have been given their chance to shine under Frank LampardCredit: George Powell 2018
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Lampard will ask even more from Hudson-Odoi after best Chelsea performance since return from injury
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
