Sarri praises ‘very normal’ Hudson-Odoi

Maurizio Sarri praised Callum Hudson-Odoi for his performance against Tottenham and insisted there has been no sign the youngster is unsettled at Chelsea.

Hudson-Odoi has indicated that he wants to leave Stamford Bridge amid interest from Bayern Munich, who are keen to sign him.

He was given a starting place by Blues boss Sarri for the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Wembley, which Tottenham won 1-0 courtesy of Harry Kane’s first-half penalty.

The 18-year-old started well but faded during the second half before being substituted late in the game.

Sarri was nevertheless satisfied with Hudson-Odoi’s display and said he had seen no evidence that uncertainty over the player’s future has affected him.

Sarri said: “Odoi in the last week has been very normal. I saw him every day in training. He was really very normal.

“He is improving. In the last match he played very well and again I think played a very good match.

“He played like a player of 25, 26 years, I think. A very good match with application (including) in the defensive phase – very good.

“In the last period he has been completely normal.”

Chelsea dominated the second half but were unable to find an equaliser against a Spurs side forced to defend in numbers.

“I’m really disappointed with the result but I’m really happy with the performance,” Sarri said.

“We played with a very good level of application, of determination, with the heart, with the soul. We played in this way with continuity for 95 minutes.”