Maurizio Sarri has hinted that Callum Hudson-Odoi will not start Chelsea FC’s clash against Cardiff City in the Premier League on Sunday.
The 18-year-old earned plenty of praise for his solid display last week as he made his full England debut and notched up an assist in the 5-1 win over Montenegro.
Despite his obvious talent, Hudson-Odoi has struggled to hold down a regular spot in the starting line-up at Chelsea FC, and he is yet to start a single Premier League game under Sarri.
Hudson-Odoi will be hoping to be involved when Chelsea FC take on Cardiff City on Sunday lunchtime, but Sarri has hinted that he still feels that the teenager has a lot of work to do before earning a regular starting spot.
Speaking in an interview quoted by the Guardian, Sarri said: “It is for his good, but also for my good.
Maurizio Sarri drops Callum Hudson-Odoi hint ahead of Cardiff v Chelsea FC.
“He needs to improve more – I want him to improve more – and he has to stay with his feet on the floor.
“He has to work every day, and improve the left [foot], improve in the defensive phase, improve in the movement without the ball. I want him to improve because the potential is really, really very, very high.
“And so it’s right that he continues to improve. Otherwise we risk stopping him [realising his potential].
“He is, in this moment, a very, very good player. But he has the possibility to become more. I want him to become more.”
Chelsea FC are currently in sixth place in the Premier League table as they seek Champions League qualification this season.
They are aiming to bounce back from the disappointment of their 2-0 loss to Everton in the Premier League before the international break.
They will take on Slavia Prague for a spot in the Europa League semi-finals next month.