Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta has backed youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi to break into the first team very soon.
The 17-year-old midfielder is aiming to establish himself in Maurizio Sarri’s senior squad having played a prominent role in their pre-season preparations.
Azpilicueta, who is one of the Blues most senior players, feels Hudson-Odoi is on the cusp but there’s some room for improvement.
“Callum is very talented. He has shown great character, great quality and is playing very well. His performances during pre-season have been very good and now it’s up to him to keep up that level,” he told reporters (via the Evening Standard) following Chelsea’s friendly loss against Arsenal.
“If he keeps doing that he will be very important for the team. It is all about consistency. He is coming from an academy level. He played with us a few times last season and he is improving. That is really important.
“But he has still room to improve. He is just 17 and he can go far. Every time he went one on one against Bellerin, he was creating problems but his defensive work is also helping the team.”
Nominally an attacking midfielder, Hudson-Odoi is capable of playing on both flanks if needed and, to date, he’s made four senior appearances totalling 80 minutes for Chelsea – all coming under former boss Antonio Conte.
Of those matches played, two came in the Premier League, though they were both losing efforts: 0-3 at home to Bournemouth (25 minutes) and 1-3 against Tottenham Hotspur (two minutes).
Hudson-Odoi’s debut, though, came in their FA Cup win over Newcastle United (9 minutes) and it was in that competition against Hull City that he spent his most minutes (45) on the pitch.
Chelsea face Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday at Wembley, with Hudson-Odoi expected to start due to the absence of Eden Hazard.
The post Cesar Azpilicueta backs Callum Hudson-Odoi to become a key player at Chelsea appeared first on Squawka News.
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