Chelsea have a new first team player in Callum Hudson-Odoi who has been announced by head coach Maurizio Sarri as being a part of the senior team at the club next season.
The Blues have a knack of allowing promising players to leave the club on temporary contracts elsewhere in order to garner more first team opportunities and minutes under their belts. But Hudson-Odoi may be the exception to the rule, especially as he is breaking through under a manager like Sarri who will fancy his attacking instincts and talent.
Hudson-Odoi tore Arsenal’s defense apart and was particularly threatening for Hector Bellerin, who failed to handle the 17-year old properly throughout the game and fouled him for the penalty in the first half – although Alvaro Morata failed to convert.
Asked what he thinks of the academy graduate who may have a say in the first team next season, Chelsea vice captain Cezar Azpilicueta insisted Hudson-Odoi has a lot to bring unto the table and now just needs consistency to attain greatness.
“Callum is really young. He has showed great quality and character. He is playing very well. His performance in this pre-season has been very good. Now it is up to him to keep at this level. I am sure that if he can keep doing the things that he is doing right now for the team, then he will be very important. That’s something that he has in his hands. We will try to help him and I am sure he will be important for us.
I started at 17-years-old when I made my debut. It is about consistency. He is coming from an academy level. He played with us a few times last season and he has been with us during this pre-season and he is improving. That’s really important and I know that he still has room to improve. He is only 17 and he can go really far. I am sure that if he keeps his head and the way he is performing then he will be very good. Every time he went one-vs-one against him [Bellerin], he was creating problems. In transition he was very good and with defensive work.”
Cezar Azpilicueta, Goal
