Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi makes major impact

The 17-year-old winger has surely done enough in each of Chelsea’s three pre-season fixtures to merit inclusion, particularly as the club’s World Cup-affected cavalry, led by Eden Hazard and Willian, are not yet ready.

Willian’s availability – or the lack of it – has been shaped by a passport problem that delayed his return to training by five days. Apparently, his book was full up, leaving no room for any more stamps. Whatever the minutiae, Chelsea’s manager, Maurizio Sarri, has been left unimpressed.

Hudson-Odoi will be a part of Sarri’s first-team squad and not join the massed ranks of Chelsea loanees. Sarri was asked the direct question after the friendly against Arsenal in Dublin on Wednesday, which they lost 6-5 on penalties following a 1-1 draw. “He will stay with us for all the season,” Sarri replied.

For Hudson-Odoi, the possibilities feel tantalising and he can set himself first-team appearance targets after blazing a trail from the opening pre-season game against Perth Glory in western Australia. That was the one in which he set up the winner for Pedro, while he was also impressive against Internazionale in Nice, when Chelsea won 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Against Arsenal, he was simply irrespressible in the first half and one moment summed up his threat. He gave Héctor Bellerín a two-yard start on Marcos Alonso’s long ball forward and, as anybody knows, Bellerín is a player that trades on his speed.

Yet Hudson-Odoi flicked on the afterburners to reach the ball first and, once he had turned Bellerín around, cut into the box and began to jink, the Arsenal right-back’s problems started. Bellerín was lured into a rash challenge and a penalty followed. Unfortunately for Chelsea, Álvaro Morata could not convert.

Hudson-Odoi was keen to get the ball out of his feet in order to lengthen his stride and it really was a thrilling sight. He sparked panic in Bellerín whenever he ran at him and it was a regular occurrence in the first 45 minutes.

Before the penalty, Hudson-Odoi teed up Cesc Fàbregas for a shot that was tipped over, while, after it, he laid on three good chances for Morata, each of which went begging. His final action was excellent, apart from a one-on-one miss against Petr Cech in the 42nd minute.

“Callum has shown great quality and character and now it is up to him to keep that level,” Azpilicueta said. “I am sure if he keeps doing the things he’s doing at the moment and working the way he is doing for the team, he will be very important for the team. It’s something he has in his hands.

“I made my debut at 17 [for Osasuna] and it’s about consistency. Callum played with us a few times last season, he has done well this pre-season and I know he still has room to improve. He can go really far.”