Maurizio Sarri confirmed after tonight's friendly against Arsenal that Callum Hudson-Odoi will be a member of his squad for the forthcoming campaign. 

The 17-year-old produced another excellent performance showcasing his speed, skill and vision, and Sarri spoke about him after the 1-1 draw. 

'He will stay with us for all the season,' Sarri said. 'He is a very young player. We have to wait. In the future he will be a very, very strong player.'

Even the Arsenal fans stood up and gave him a round of applause. Not much people picked up on it, however they realised a young star has completely took the game on his own on a pitch with world cup winners and stars and was unfazed all game. Let it just sink in that the kid is still eligible to play in the Youth Cup this season...

Hmm I wonder if sarri's system would be flexiable enough, with the kante effect, to play:

 

Kante---jorginho

 

Willian-----hazard------hudson-odoi

2 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Hmm I wonder if sarri's system would be flexiable enough, with the kante effect, to play:

 

Kante---jorginho

 

Willian-----hazard------hudson-odoi

I can't think of a single game we've won that Hazard played false 9. Maybe the 3-0 win against Bournemouth at home 16/17 when Costa was suspended but thats it. 

Hazard is a creator whether thats through space or chances by pulling opposition defenders towards him. With him being in the middle, it just clogs up the channels. 

I know some have made the Mertens argument as he blossomed under Sarri as a striker, but I just can't see Hazard having the same effect in the middle.  

I hope Sarri tries to stick him on the right. Just to see how he does and if he can play there. Would be a lot easier for him to get minutes there

Great to have a new player for the first team. An a very exciting one at that. 

1 hour ago, Theafonis said:

I can't think of a single game we've won that Hazard played false 9. Maybe the 3-0 win against Bournemouth at home 16/17 when Costa was suspended but thats it. 

Hazard is a creator whether thats through space or chances by pulling opposition defenders towards him. With him being in the middle, it just clogs up the channels. 

I know some have made the Mertens argument as he blossomed under Sarri as a striker, but I just can't see Hazard having the same effect in the middle.  

I doubt it happens because we have Morata and Batshuayi. Two actual strikers. I don't think it's out of the question though. Sarri may start to look at that if our strikers don't perform as well. It's not that there won't be chances to score because in this system there will be, but it's putting them away. I still think Batshuayi could be our diamond in the rough this coming season. 

8 hours ago, ForeverCarefree said:

We’re being linked with young wingers like Leon Bailey and Pulisic but do we have as good of a talent already here? 

If Willian goes maybe we don’t have to look much further than this lad? 

Typical Chelsea decision... It will hurt us so bad if we will sign a player and block CHO. 

We have a real talent here!

We all know Hazard is a creator so could he not play the Hamsik role? Would free up the left for CHO and let Hazard pick the ball up deep as he loves to do and drive at the defense. 

21 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

We all know Hazard is a creator so could he not play the Hamsik role? Would free up the left for CHO and let Hazard pick the ball up deep as he loves to do and drive at the defense. 

That role carries more defensive responsibility than, I think, Hazard should be given. Could work when playing a weaker team with us playing in their half most of the game. But against a stronger team - that's not optimal use of Hazard.

6 minutes ago, Ilya said:

That role carries more defensive responsibility than, I think, Hazard should be given. Could work when playing a weaker team with us playing in their half most of the game. But against a stronger team - that's not optimal use of Hazard.

The Hamsik role isn't too dissimilar to a #10, which Hazard has stated is his preferred position. With Kante in the middle too it would lessen the defensive responsibility more so. With a little tweaking i think it could work. 

19 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

The Hamsik role isn't too dissimilar to a #10, which Hazard has stated is his preferred position. With Kante in the middle too it would lessen the defensive responsibility more so. With a little tweaking i think it could work. 

My point was simply that if you end up with 4 people on the team that do very little or no defending - you'll get destroyed by stronger teams. I'm not sure how much tracking back Hamsik did. I assumed some, I assumed more than I would want Hazard to have to do. I could be wrong.

Having said that, the RF position, while nominally more attacking than the "Hamsik" one, can actually carry a chunk of tracking back responsibilities - say with Moses or Willian (but nor Pedro) there.

The football World has just discovered CHO.

Welcome to the top stage young man, go light it up.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11456673/arsenal-v-chelsea-talking-points-callum-hudson-odoi-makes-huge-statement

Quote

Callum Hudson-Odoi can't legally drink alcohol, place a bet or enter a nightclub, but he can play football at an elite level.

At just 17 years old, the level of performance shown by the winger in Dublin was remarkable.

He was - by far - the best player on the pitch. A pitch that included Premier League, Champions League and World Cup winners. He was a cut above.

Quote

Ahead of this match, following back-to-back starts against Perth Glory and Inter Milan, Hudson-Odoi said: "I've definitely liked working under Maurizio Sarri. The way he plays suits the way I play because I like to get on the ball a lot, go forward and keep attacking, I either stay in the pockets or stay wide."

From these areas, he was devastating against Arsenal. In a similar role to what Mohamed Salah plays for Liverpool - but off the left, Hudson-Odoi was allowed the freedom to stay up the pitch even if Arsenal were on the attack.

This aggressive tactic rewarded the England U17 international with the space any majestic attacking player craved and he made full use of it.

 

Well deserved, kid! Wish you luck, avoiding injuries and contributing the team. He is a great example of how to succeed in wild environment - he impressed, so he stayed. He just alluded for quality - he goes on loan. Simple as that. 

10 hours ago, Jackson27 said:

Didn't watch the game, but wow, I know it's a pre season game but he was a different class to a few others

could have had 4 or 5 assists off Morata alone. 

2 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

The Hamsik role isn't too dissimilar to a #10, which Hazard has stated is his preferred position. With Kante in the middle too it would lessen the defensive responsibility more so. With a little tweaking i think it could work. 

CHO has played in the middle of the attack and also as an out and out forward for the youth teams also, and for England youth, so it could be him playing up front in a 3 with Hazard and another in a fluid 3.  Its some good options.

If he is really as good as yesterday would suggest he might be - something will have to be worked out. False 9, 10, two people playing in the same position simultaneously - whatever.

I used to make sarcy comments about "our youth being denied the chance to become Ronaldo" - this is the first time I feel that we might actually have a future star on our hands. I know: pre-season friendly, just one game, etc - but he was playing against some fairly reputable established defenders.

15 minutes ago, dkw said:

CHO has played in the middle of the attack and also as an out and out forward for the youth teams also, and for England youth, so it could be him playing up front in a 3 with Hazard and another in a fluid 3.  Its some good options.

I wouldn't mind that, certainly need to find a way to fit Hazard and CHO in the same line up at some point. 

It's up to Sarri how to get him into the team, however he does it.

False 9 ? yeah it can work if you have the right players, not sure if we have, but we must be close with the like s of Hazard, Willian, CHO, Pedro, all fast and tricky players, the kind who can do a false 9 i think.

Or we could pull CHO back to the left midfield in 4-4-2, but not sure we have the striker to play up front with Hazard, i would favour Michy in this scenario.

I don't fancy CHO on the right, all his good stuff has come down the left.

2 hours ago, coco said:

The football World has just discovered CHO.

Welcome to the top stage young man, go light it up.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11456673/arsenal-v-chelsea-talking-points-callum-hudson-odoi-makes-huge-statement

 

Here we go, the English media putting pressure on another English youngster. Why do they do it? Just let him play football and enjoy himself. 

2 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

could have had 4 or 5 assists off Morata alone. 

This is why I was surprised he assisted Morata. At one point he chipped the ball onto Morata's head which Morata headed wide and Callum put his hands up unimpressed. He should have a go himself rather than rely on Morata to score. I get he wants to be unselfish in front of a new coach, but he's more selfish in the youth team. 

17 minutes ago, Ilya said:

If he is really as good as yesterday would suggest he might be - something will have to be worked out. False 9, 10, two people playing in the same position simultaneously - whatever.

I used to make sarcy comments about "our youth being denied the chance to become Ronaldo" - this is the first time I feel that we might actually have a future star on our hands. I know: pre-season friendly, just one game, etc - but he was playing against some fairly reputable established defenders.

He's been the best youth player for a good season or two, he's just one of those players with pretty much everything in his locker. I've not seen a Chelsea youngster with so much to his game. He has blistering pace, great dribbling ability, eye for goal, vision, workrate. He just needs refining and confidence from the coach, which I think he may well just have under Sarri. 

27 minutes ago, enigma said:

He's been the best youth player for a good season or two, he's just one of those players with pretty much everything in his locker. I've not seen a Chelsea youngster with so much to his game. He has blistering pace, great dribbling ability, eye for goal, vision, workrate. He just needs refining and confidence from the coach, which I think he may well just have under Sarri. 

Could'nt have said it much better. Dazzled by his performance last night. Both Bellerin and Mustafi seemed to be frightened about his pace and dribbling. He's just so quick on his feet, and can cut inside - as we saw with yesterdays penalty, and go to the backline - as we saw with Pedro's goal against Perth. 

We have to find a way of getting him in the time regularly. 

1 hour ago, coco said:

It's up to Sarri how to get him into the team, however he does it.

False 9 ? yeah it can work if you have the right players, not sure if we have, but we must be close with the like s of Hazard, Willian, CHO, Pedro, all fast and tricky players, the kind who can do a false 9 i think.

Or we could pull CHO back to the left midfield in 4-4-2, but not sure we have the striker to play up front with Hazard, i would favour Michy in this scenario.

I don't fancy CHO on the right, all his good stuff has come down the left.

There's no chance sarri will change his formation to fit CHO in his team. 

Maybe there's an argument for hazard playing as a false 9, or as the attacking midfielder.

CHO is pretty flexible from what I've seen in the youth teams, maybe he could play on the right. Mbappe is probably better on the left but he still has managed to cause teams damage from the right aswell. 

I honestly think he will be used mainly as an impact sub, and in cup competitions. 

He'll start on sunday against City. Will be very interesting to see how he does.

Dare i say he reminds me of Mbappe when he first broke through at Monaco. Huge talent and should get lots of playing time this season.