Maurizio Sarri has again defended his gradual introduction of Callum Hudson-Odoi to the Chelsea side – and believes the youngster will stay at Stamford Bridge.
Head coach Sarri has been criticised for not yet starting with Hudson-Odoi, 18, in a Premier League match.
And calls for the winger to be included have inevitably increased now he is an England international.
Speaking at a media conference on Friday, Sarri said: “I know very well the situation because last season Callum was only 17 and played three or four matches, and this season he is only 18 and has played, I think, 19 or 20 matches.
“I think the evolution is right. The evolution is that he will probably play 30 to 35 matches next season. So I think with Callum we are on the right path.
“We have eight matches in 28 days so I am sure Callum will start in two or three matches.
“For me the Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup are the same. For me there is no difference.
“He has started many matches – not in the Premier League, but for me to put him in the starting 11 in the Premier League is not a problem but I can only play two wingers and we have Hazard, Willian and Pedro.
“He is doing well but he needs to improve more because the potential is very high and I don’t want him to stop improving. He can become one of the most important players in Europe. “
And Sarri does seemingly believe Hudson-Odoi will still be at Chelsea next season despite the player being pursued by Bayern Munich and the fact that his contract expires next year.
“I think so. I cannot say whether he will sign a new contract or not, but I think he will stay in every case,” said the Italian.
Having come on as a substitute against the Czech Republic at Wembley, Hudson-Odoi started against Montenegro.
Sarri said he had no plans to speak to him about racist abuse aimed at him by Montenegro fans – and said he had barely watched Hudson-Odoi’s performance.
Sarri explained: “Only 20 minutes because I had 14 players in their national teams and I had no time for watching 20 matches.
“I saw the English national team only for 20 or 25 minutes and Callum didn’t start very well in the first 20 minutes on the right.
“He did very well on the left immediately, but I know him very well and know he prefers to play on the left.”
Asked about Blues fans wanting him to select Hudson-Odoi, Sarri replied: “I am not the coach of the fans.”
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This post was last modified on 29/03/2019