Callum Hudson-Odoi: Why Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri should be lauded for treatment of winger

Callum Hudson-Odoi: Why Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri should be lauded for treatment of winger
If Chelsea fans weren’t so busy waiting to boo Jorginho, they might realise that Maurizio Sarri has finally given them what they’ve wanted for years.In a turbulent decade at Stamford Bridge, one thing has remained the same: Chelsea’s utter refusal to use any talent produced by their world class academy.3

Hudson-Odoi is the youngest ever Chelsea player to start four consecutive Premier League games

Bright futures have ultimately been destined to fade away during never ending loan spells, with Dominic Solanke and Nathaniel Chalobah eventually giving up.But things are different this season. On Monday night, 18-year-old Callum Hudson-Odoi and 23-year-old Ruben Loftus-Cheek made their fourth consecutive starts in the Premier League during the 2-2 draw with Burnley.Yet, the overwhelming feeling among the Chelsea faithful seems to be that it took too long. After all, Hudson-Odoi only started his first top flight game earlier this month, despite already becoming a full England international beforehand. His season suffered a cruel end against Burnley when he ruptured his Achilles on Monday night, but when the teenager reflects on his rise to stardom this term, he’ll have Sarri to thank.The Italian isn’t winning any popularity contests at Chelsea, and it would’ve been easy to give in to fans’ pleas and start Hudson-Odoi prematurely.Pressure grew when the youngster handed in a transfer request amid interest from Bayern Munich, but still, Sarri continued to slowly ease the forward into the team.3

Hudson-Odoi’s season is over

This is how you should do it, right? He’s 18, what’s the rush?When you’ve got Willian, Pedro and Eden Hazard ahead of you, any first-team opportunity is a blessing.He developed and grew in confidence with each Europa League appearance and every cameo from the bench, until he was ready.In his press conferences, Sarri always offered perspective and compared Hudson-Odoi’s game time to other teenagers across Europe, and he was right.

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...

• Tottenham vs Brighton (Tuesday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT
• Luton vs AFC Wimbledon (Tuesday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Sheffield United vs Ipswich (Saturday, 5:15pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Brighton vs Newcastle (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT
• Norwich vs Blackburn (Saturday, 7:30pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Leeds United vs Aston Villa (Sunday, 12pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Coventry vs Shrewsbury (Sunday, 3pm) – talkSPORT 2

Contrary to popular belief, there’s aren’t actually many 18-year-olds running around Europe’s top clubs every week. It’s not the norm. Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon is the only player under the age of 19 to start more Premier League games than Hudson-Odoi this season.Don’t be fooled, Jadon Sancho’s breakthrough at Borussia Dortmund doesn’t suddenly make Germany the place to go for youth. Sancho, 19, played a similar role to Hudson-Odoi last season before emerging as one of the Bundesliga’s brightest talents a year later.It certainly doesn’t make Bayern Munich the right destination for Hudson-Odoi. They aren’t exactly champions of youth. This is a club which lost Douglas Costa because they preferred to pick Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery.3

Don’t be fooled by Sancho’s rise at Dortmund

Why would Hudson-Odoi leave? As a youngster, he has discovered a rarity: a Chelsea manager who trusts him.It’s worth noting the talented teen hasn’t set the world alight during this spell of games, especially against Liverpool at Anfield, but Sarri stuck with him anyway.Besides, with doubt surrounding the future of Eden Hazard; Willian and Pedro both in their thirties; and Chelsea’s transfer ban – the window of opportunity could not be wider.Sarri has shown an admirable sense of calm and rationality among the Hudson-Odoi hysteria to carefully manage the youngster’s development – and for that, he deserves credit.

---

The countdown to the beginning of the 2019/20 Premier League season is on following the announcement of upcoming campaign's fixtures on Thursday. A ball hasn't been kicked yet but the title race, the relegation dogfight and the battle to finish in the Champions League and Europa League spots is under way, of sorts.
The top 50 most valuable players in world football including

---

Arsenal hope to sign Ever Banega and are willing to trigger the midfielder's release clause, according to reports. The Gunners have performed impressively throughout the opening half of the season, and they currently sit fifth with a top four finish still well within their grasp.
Gunners ready to sign Ever Banega in £18million deal - See

---

Leicester. Leicester's new adidas home kit sees them return to white shorts for the first time since the 2014/15 season. The Foxes debuted the kit in their final-day draw with Chelsea, including a

---

Liverpool news: Without James Milner, it wouldn't work, says

---

~ Arsenal would be challenging for the Premier League title if they'd signed Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson, claims club legend Bob McNab ~ Kenya Latest
~ Transfer news and football gossip: Chelsea bid £45m for

---

Transfer news and football gossip: Jurgen Klopp 'to take

---

Liverpool's first-team squad laid wreaths outside Anfield to mark the 30th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. The players - led by manager Jurgen Klopp and captain Jordan Henderson - were present at the stadium to pay their respects to the 96 people who died as a result of a crush during the FA Cup semifinal between the Reds and Nottingham Forest on April 15, 1989.
Liverpool squad pay respects at Hillsborough memorial | FOX

---

Manchester United transfer news: 10 possible replacements for David De Gea, including Real Madrid and Barcelona stars The Spaniard has reportedly turned down the offer of a new contract at Old
Man Utd transfer news: Barcelona's Jasper Cillessen

---

Birmingham vs Aston Villa live on talkSPORT 2: Free stream

---

Peter Shilton's emotional tribute to fellow England legend - 'He was my hero' David Seaman: 'He was a true gentleman' Gascoigne, Sterling and Hurst among many to pay tribute to Gordon
Hero, mentor and inspiration - fellow goalkeepers pay tribute

---

Chelsea fans think Eden Hazard will leave for Real Madrid this summer after a clip emerged (Pic: GETTY/ INSTAGRAM - SHAZY_RINOR) The Blues saw off Watford 3-0 at Stamford Bridge yesterday. Maurizio Sarri's side played their last game of the campaign at home, securing Champions League football next season.
Eden Hazard on Potential Summer Transfer: 'I Have Made My

---

Chelsea threaten bans and vow to help police prosecute fans who sing anti-Semitic chant. then we will take the strongest possible action against them, which includes bans.
Chelsea vow to take action against supporters involved in

---

Brendan Crossan: Lionel Messi doesn't need to play in another top league to claim greatest-ever tag Manchester United's Diogo Dalot (right) and Barcelona's Lionel Messi battle for the ball during
Lionel Messi - Wikipedia

---

Tottenham's unbeaten run proves that Arsenal no longer rule North London last North London derby Premier League match-winner for Arsenal was Tomas Rosicky. That was in April 2014 at a time
Why this North London derby is bigger for Arsenal than
bestwnews.com/sport/why-this-north-london-derby-is-bigger-for-arsenal-than-tottenham-according-to-paul-merson/
Just three points separate the sides, with Tottenham sat in third and Arsenal just outside the top four, but a win for the Gunners could turn it on its head. Speaking On Sky Sports' The Debate, Paul Merson said: "This game this weekend is a bigger game for Arsenal than Tottenham, that is how it has swung really.
Tim Sherwood and David Seaman: It's already a must-win for

---

Wayne Rooney: England's record goalscorer honoured by 'special' farewell match against USA and insists he has made no demands The 33-year-old will make one final appearance for his country
Wayne Rooney insists he doesn't expect to wear No 10 shirt or

---