'His time will come': Eden Hazard predicts big things for Chelsea team-mate Callum Hudson-Odoi

Aditya Devavrat 19:00 04/04/2019
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  • Callum Hudson-Odoi made his first Premier League start for Chelsea.

    Eden Hazard was full of praise for team-mate Callum Hudson-Odoi after the Chelsea youngster made his first Premier League start for the club during Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Brighton.

    Calls for Hudson-Odoi to get more playing time have grown in recent months with the Blues thought to be at risk of losing the 18-year-old, with several leading European clubs said to be chasing the signature of a player whose contract runs out next summer.

    For now, however, he is beginning to show his worth, and Hazard gave him due credit after a promising full league debut in which the England international bagged the assist for Chelsea’s first goal.

    “Since day one he trained with us, he had great skills,” Hazard said after the game. “If he wants advice, I can teach him, but you know he has everything already.

    “I think the guy was waiting to start a game in the Premier League, but he is ready. You can see the way he is taking the ball. He is playing with a lot of confidence.

    “He is still young and can improve, of course, but he is already very good. I think he was happy to play today. You know when you are young you just play, and sometimes you try and miss, but the good thing is to give freshness in the team.

    Hazard

    “I think Callum can play three games. He can run, he has the legs for 90 minutes. At 28 we are a bit tired at the end, but I think he is still young.

    The Chelsea star admitted his young team-mate still has to improve, but added that the whole team will get behind him and help his development.

    “As I said, he can still improve but he is in a good team to learn, and we are happy to help him,” Hazard explained.

    “I told him if he stays humble at first, for me it is the best thing, to stay humble.”

    “Work in training, score goals, and then be happy on the pitch. He can go very far.

    Despite the praise, Hazard acknowledged that Chelsea’s depth makes it difficult for manager Maurizio Sarri to guarantee Hudson-Odoi regular starts.

    “It is the decision of the manager,” he said. “Of course, when we are playing we want young players and also English players because we are in England. But we also have Willian, Pedro, me – we have not only two wingers, but we have four.

    “But his time is coming. He played today. He will play a lot in the future.”

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