Antonio
Conte may be tempted to blood some Chelsea youngsters against West Ham on
Sunday, live on Sky Sports, as a top-four finish becomes more unlikely, with
17-year-old Callum Hudson-Odoi primed for a first Premier League start.
The talented teenager, born in November 2000, came on as a late substitute
in last weekend's defeat at Tottenham, but as the season approaches its
climax, should Tottenham continue to stay well clear in fourth, Conte could
make Hudson-Odoi the latest starlet born this millennium to earn a Premier
League start.
Unhappy at the lack of signings at Chelsea in the summer, Conte hasn't been
afraid to play a youngster to make a statement to the board. Even for the
season opener against Burnley, with Chelsea looking to get their title
defence off to a positive start, Conte played Jeremie Boga from the start.
Boga joined Birmingham soon after the Burnley defeat.
Hudson-Odoi has two Premier League appearances to his name already, both as
substitute, as well as two FA Cup substitute appearances, but his time may
be about to come as a starter. In his 25 minutes in Chelsea's 3-0 defeat to
Bournemouth at the end of January, Hudson-Odoi completed five dribbles -
second only to Eden Hazard, who completely nine in 90 minutes. He also had
two shots, with one on target.
Having joined the club at U8s level, Hudson-Odoi is a Chelsea boy through
and through and his progression is a sign of the growing strength of the
Blues' academy. He even played for Chelsea's U18s as a 15-year-old.
It is clear that Chelsea appreciate his talents and understand how much
potential he has, as they tied him down to a three-year contract over the
summer to fight off interest from a host of top European clubs
That faith seems justified as this season really has seen Hudson-Odio's
ascension take flight. Hudson-Odio is already a World Cup winner, having
played a key role in England U17s' World Cup success in October, all while
continuing to dazzle for Chelsea's U18s.
At just 16, Hudson-Odoi was promoted to Chelsea's U23 side and scored four
times in just three games during the Checkatrade Trophy campaign, which saw
Chelsea fall short in the semi-final in February.
Again Chelsea are honing in on another FA Youth Cup success - what would be
their fifth successive crown - and at the heart of their attacking
flamboyance is Hudson-Odoi. The timing of his fine goal in the semi-final
first-leg victory over Birmingham on Wednesday could not have been better.
He is not shorn of faith in his own abilities, either.
"Obviously I have had to be patient because I'm still young, but when I got
my debut, that's when I knew it was my time to come on the pitch, do what I
do, make an impact and show I'm ready," Hudson-Odoi said earlier in the
season.
Conte clearly thinks highly of the youngster. The 17-year-old was on the
bench in arguably Chelsea's biggest game of the season in Barcelona in
March, and not allowed to take part in the UEFA Youth League due to
first-team commitments.
Alvaro Morata is likely to get the nod up front on Sunday after getting back
on scoresheet against Tottenham, but Willian and Eden Hazard are due a rest,
having shouldered much of the creative burden in wide positions - Hudson
Odoi could slot in on either side of the front three, making the most of his
penetrative dribbling prowess.
Aside from the emergence of Andreas Christensen this campaign, Chelsea have
not brought a youngster through their ranks to become a regular fixture in
the first team since John Terry. It remains to be seen whether Hudson-Odoi
has what it takes to make a starting berth his own, but that time to shine
cannot be far off if he continues to impress. Sunday could be that moment.
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