Maurizio Sarri jokingly criticised Callum Hudson-Odoi for missing ‘a very easy’ goal following Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Brighton.
The 18-year-old forward, who was making his full Premier League debut at Stamford Bridge, produced some neat footwork to skip past Anthony Knockaert before assisting Olivier Giroud for Chelsea’s opener in the 38th minute.
Hudson-Odoi had a golden chance to find the net himself as Eden Hazard’s cross deflected into his path just before half-time but the Englishman took a massive swing and completely missed the ball.
Thankfully for the youngster, goals from Hazard and Ruben Loftus-Cheek after the break sealed a comfortable win meaning Chelsea are only behind fourth-placed Arsenal on goal difference.
Hudson-Odoi has now been involved in nine goals in his nine starts for the Blues, scoring four and assisting five, but he still got some stick from Sarri after the final whistle.
The Italian revealed that he joked with Hudson-Odoi in the dressing room following his fluffed chance in the first half.
‘I told him that he missed a very easy goal,’ Sarri explained with a wry smile on his face.
‘He has to stay with his feet on the floor. He’s a good boy.
‘He can risk thinking that he is a player at 100 per cent, but it’s impossible to be at the top when you are 18.
‘He can improve, and I want him to improve. In the future, he, Ruben and Andreas [Christensen] can become top players.
‘The future could be good.’
“It was a bit of a fluke!” ?
Ruben Loftus-Cheek says that him and Callum Hudson-Odoi have spent years of hard work to start in a Premier League game together.
Report and highlights as #CFC continue their 100-per-cent league record against #BHAFC ? https://t.co/vdmtOxAS7y pic.twitter.com/EpbVjOqAQB
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 3, 2019
Speaking after the match, Hudson-Odoi was hopeful that he had done enough to remain in Chelsea’s starting XI.
‘I am very happy for the win and we all worked hard,’ the England international told BT Sport.
‘We had to get rhythm and bounced back well. Today we got told the team and had to prepare mentally.
‘The manager told me to go and express myself. I feel comfortable, hopefully I did well.’
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