Maurizio Sarri stuck to his guns of refusing to start Callum Hudson-Odoi despite Chelsea running through a close run of games. The Italian boss has been adamant about not giving the youngster a chance and now he has explained why.
“I think to have pressure when you are 18 is very dangerous for a player,” said the Italian. “You can lose the target. When you’re 18 the target is to improve – to improve, tactically, mentally and physically. So, it’s dangerous for him. I don’t like to speak about him for this reason.”
“Now I think we need to improve without the pressure of the media, without the pressure of the fans, without the pressure of the club. He (doesn’t) have to do anything to convince me because I am convinced that he is a very great player.”
“He is in my mind for every match. In England, I think he’s the only to be born in 2000 to have played 16 matches in the first team,” continued Sarri. “In my opinion a player at 18 years cannot be at the top yet. He needs to improve because he will be able to arrive at the top only at 22 or 23, like every other player.”
SEE MORE: Former Chelsea star furious with Sarri over Callum Hudson-Odoi
