Callum Hudson-Odoi celebrates his first Chelsea goal
Callum Hudson-Odoi celebrates his first Chelsea goal

Chelsea transfer news: Maurizio Sarri says Callum Hudson-Odoi


Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri appears to have no intention of selling youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi after saying he has the potential to be one of the best players in Europe.

Bayern Munich and other top clubs around Europe have been linked with a move for the 18-year-old, whose Chelsea contract has 18 months to run.

Sarri, who ruled out recalling Michy Batshuayi or Tammy Abraham from their loan deals despite Olivier Giroud's ankle injury, said: "He is a very good player, the potential is for becoming a great player, and now he has to improve.

"He has to improve I think in movement without the ball. As a winger, he has to improve in the defensive phase, but he has the potential to become a very important player, not only for English football I think but for European football."

Chelsea supporters have long been clamouring for an academy graduate to emulate long-serving skipper John Terry by enjoying a lengthy career in the first team.

High expectations have been placed on Ruben Loftus-Cheek, but the 22-year-old has found it easier to break into the England squad than Chelsea's.

Balancing act with young players

Hudson-Odoi made his first Premier League appearance of the season as a substitute at Watford on Boxing Day, only to suffer a hamstring injury, while he may also look at the experience of Jadon Sancho, who has thrived since swapping Manchester City for Borussia Dortmund. The pair won the Under-17 World Cup with England in 2017.

Sarri admitted the struggle to balance winning with promoting young talent at Chelsea.

Asked if young players, like Hudson-Odoi, need to be more patient, Sarri said: "Also the fans sometimes, also the club sometimes, and so I am in the middle. I have to win.

"It's not easy at this level to take the young players from the academy and he's ready to play, not only here, everywhere in Europe.

"We are lucky because we have (Ethan) Ampadu, we have (Andreas) Christensen, we have Odoi. We are really very lucky, or the academy is very good."

Chelsea not in striker market

Eden Hazard has been playing in the 'false nine' role but injuries to Pedro (hamstring), Loftus-Cheek (back) and Hudson-Odoi mean he may have to play in his preferred left wing role.

Sarri says he has no need to recall Batshuayi from Valencia or Abraham from Aston Villa, despite Giroud's injury.

The Italian added: "At the moment I don't need another striker. We have Morata and Hazard can play very well in this position as we have seen."

All the latest rumours, reports and singings in the January transfer window
All the latest rumours, reports and singings in the January transfer window

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