Chelsea fans have been making a few demands lately of Maurizio Sarri, and key among them has been how often Callum Hudson-Odoi plays in the first team.
According to the fans, Willian and Pedro, both regular names on the starting list under Sarri have underwhelmed and have not been at their best in recent months. The pair have not contributed greatly to Chelsea’s numbers in attack and many say Hudson-Odoi will do a better job given the chance consecutively.
Alex Goldberg tweeted his frustrations when Sarri dropped CHO for the pair against Malmo in the Europa League.
Hudson-Odoi on the bench. Willian & Pedro start.
Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. By no means does this mean I don’t back Sarri, but he’s being absolutely ridiculous with his team selections.
— Alex Goldberg (@AlexGoldberg_) February 14, 2019
But the defense from Sarri’s corner has been that the 18-year old is enjoying more playing time than his equals in other top clubs and should feel grateful for the opportunities at the club. Assistant coach Gianfranco Zola is the latest to throw his support behind Sarri and insist on Hudson-Odoi having a ‘bright’ future at the Bridge.
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“He’s always on the edge of the team. As soon as there is an opportunity, he plays. Sometimes from the beginning. Sometimes he comes on. The manager is giving him plenty of reasons to feel involved and wanted. I want to stress this out: there aren’t many 18-year-olds in Europe playing as many games as he is. There might be one or two.
He’s playing. And, on top of that, he’s a player we appreciate and we believe is growing up. He has a bright future in this club.”
Gianfranco Zola, Daily Mail
The Chelsea academy graduate is yet to start a league game this season and has made two substitute appearances since the end of January.
