Thomas Tuchel claimed that refusing Callum Hudson-Odoi a loan move to Borussia Dortmund was a very simple choice.
Dortmund had given Hudson-Odoi the option to play in his preferred left flank position, but Chelsea rejected the offer outright.
Tuchel, the Blues' manager, stated that the club could not let the 20-year-old depart, since the young England star's ability to play at wing-back is critical.
Hudson-Odoi made his 100th Chelsea appearance in Saturday's 3-0 Premier League win over Aston Villa, playing at right wing-back, left wing-back, and left flank.
“It was a very easy decision for me, we cannot let the player go who is in an 18, 19 man squad. Simply impossible," Tuchel explained.
“He is able to play as a right wing-back, left wing-back, he can play in these extra positions, he knows the group and we know him very well,"
“For him personally it would maybe have been a very good opportunity but for us it was simply impossible.”
Tuchel values Hudson-Odoi's ability to play in other roles but the Chelsea manager is well aware that the gifted wide winger yearns for a chance in a more advanced role.
Chelsea's German boss complimented Odoi's level before challenging the Wandsworth-born star to reproduce it in every game.
“I see a stronger, stronger Callum every day in training, overcome the gap between training and playing,” said Tuchel.
“And now he needs to show that in matches. If he gets minutes it’s never a gift. Nobody gets gifts,"
“I know it’s not his favourite position but I think he can play this position and serve the team very well,"
“But still he can do better, still he can be more aggressive, and that’s what he does in training,"
“He needs to overcome this gap between training and playing, to fight for his place in this team.” he ended