Chelsea transfer news: Callum Hudson-Odoi is given more opportunities than any other teenager in England, says Maurizio Sarri

Maurizio Sarri claims there isn’t another 18-year-old player in England being given as many opportunities as Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Hudson-Odoi, who was subject to four bids from Bayern Munich in January, played the full ninety minutes and capped a standout performance with a goal against Malmo as Chelsea cruised into the last-16 of the Europa League.

Sarri came under heavy criticism after the prized academy prospect, who has scored three goals and added a further three assists in six games, played little over five minutes in the first leg of the tie in Sweden.

“You need to understand that, in the same position, we have Pedro, Willian and Hazard,” Sarri said. “So it’s not easy for a young player to play with the consistency with his team-mates.

“I want to remind you that Callum, with this one, played 14 matches. There isn’t in England another 18-year-old player with 14 matches in the first-team. So I think that we are using him in the right way at the moment.

“Of course, the 20 matches this season will be 30 matches in the next, and 40 in two years.

“Also, I think that the club has to decide. If I am at the club and I want Callum on the pitch consistently, I have to sell another winger. Otherwise the manager is in trouble.”

Sarri’s claim, though, is in fact false. Phil Foden (20) and Ryan Sessegnon (26) have both made more appearances than Hudson-Odoi (19) this season, while U17 World Cup-winning teammate Morgan Gibbs-White, who turned 19 last month, has already featured in 18 Premier League games this season.