Martin Keown has urged Maurizio Sarri to give Callum Hudson-Odoi his “wings” at Chelsea FC.
The England Under-21 international impressed with an eye-catching cameo performance in Chelsea FC’s 3-0 victory over Dynamo Kyiv at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night.
Hudson-Odoi came off the bench in the 78th minute and the Chelsea FC teenager managed to get on the score-sheet with a brilliant goal.
The 18-year-old has been limited to substitute appearances throughout the 2018-19 season despite an increasing clamour for the English talent to command a regular first-team place.
The Chelsea FC youth product has scored four goals and has made one assist in five starts and nine substitute appearances.
Hudson-Odoi was the subject of interest from Bayern Munich in the January transfer window after the Bundesliga champions reportedly offered £35m for the teenager.
Former Arsenal defender Keown believes Hudson-Odoi merits a starting place in Sarri’s Chelsea FC XI.
“Every time he comes on, Hudson-Odoi proves that he deserves a chance to start,” Keown told the Daily Mail. “His first touch for his goal last night was out of this world.
“Even when he only has 10 minutes to make an impact, he seems to have at least one goalscoring opportunity.
“It feels like Maurizio Sarri is trying to keep Hudson-Odoi’s feet on the ground when he should really be giving him his wings.”
Chelsea FC are battling Arsenal and Manchester United in an enthralling top-four battle this season.
The Blues have managed to get through a difficult start to 2019 under their Italian manager.
Sarri’s side lost Arsenal, Chelsea FC and Manchester City in the Premier League to undermine their top-four challenge.
The west London side lost to Pep Guardiola’s side on penalties in the Carabao Cup final last month.