4 reasons why Chelsea must use Callum Hudson-Odoi in their starting XI

#4 It’d send the correct message to other young talent

Chelsea can't afford to lose Hudson-Odoi as they lost Kevin de Bruyne

Although it’s hard to see judging by their usual starting line-up in the Premier League, Chelsea play home to some of the most talented youngsters in the country. Not only do they have Hudson-Odoi, but Ethan Ampadu, Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah have all been produced by the Blues’ academy.

And yet, to what end does this matter? It could easily be the case that some of those young talents might see Hudson-Odoi struggling for game time and come to the conclusion that if he can’t make it at Chelsea, nobody can. And thus they may push for an exit from Stamford Bridge – joining the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Mohamed Salah on the list of great players absolutely wasted by Chelsea.

By using Hudson-Odoi more often, particularly in Premier League action, it’d send a message to Chelsea’s other young talent that prospects can break through into the Blues’ first team and develop into genuine first-team regulars – just as John Terry did almost two decades ago.

Sure, there’s no guarantee that any of these youngsters will fully pan out and become greats like Terry did, but Hudson-Odoi has already shown the kind of flashes of brilliance that suggest he can definitely make it. It’s surely a no-brainer at this stage that Sarri should use him correctly – and not risk losing him as the club lost Salah and De Bruyne.