London: Maurizio Sarri hailed Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek as the future of Chelsea after the young guns inspired the team to a crucial 3-0 win Wednesday over Brighton. It also kept Chelsea’s hopes of qualifying for next year’s Champions League.
Sarri couldn’t afford a negative result against struggling Brighton at Stamford Bridge after being subjected to fresh calls for his sacking during Sunday’s unconvincing win at Cardiff.
The angry Chelsea fans who showed their displeasure at the weekend were in part motivated by Sarri’s refusal to select England winger Hudson-Odoi. But the manager finally unleashed Hudson-Odoi for his first Premier League start, while Loftus-Cheek also made the most of a rare appearance as the youngsters bolstered Chelsea’s bid for a top-four finish.
Hudson-Odoi set up Olivier Giroud’s first half opener and Loftus-Cheek provided the assist for Eden Hazard’s superb second. England midfielder Loftus-Cheek capped a morale-boosting victory for the troubled Blues when the 23-year-old netted a majestic third to kill off FA Cup semifinalists Brighton.
“The youngsters played very well, but I was already sure about it. Callum now is ready to play in every match tactically,” Sarri said after the game. “He improved a lot during the season. I’m really very happy with him because he also defended well.”
Chelsea are up to fifth place, behind fourth-placed Arsenal on goal difference as the race to qualify for the Champions League approaches a dramatic denouement. Achieving that target is essential for Sarri as he battles to avoid the sack so he can benefit from his youngsters’ progress in the near future.
Criticised for leaving Hudson-Odoi as an unused substitute against Cardiff, Sarri at last bowed to public pressure. The 18-year-old’s fine performances for England recently had put the spotlight on Sarri’s decision to use him so infrequently.
Infuriated by his bit-part role, Hudson-Odoi has considered leaving, with Bayern Munich making their interest public before having a bid rebuffed by Chelsea in the January transfer window.
Hudson-Odoi’s name was loudly cheered when the team was read out before kick-off and he almost made the perfect start when his burst into the Brighton area ended with Shane Duffy deflecting his shot narrowly over. He was a constant threat to the Brighton defence and he played a key role as Chelsea made the breakthrough in the 38th minute.
Hazard’s precise pass found Hudson-Odoi on the right flank and he effortlessly eased past Anthony Knockaert with a nimble piece of footwork before whipping over a low cross that Giroud cleverly flicked in from close range.
While Hudson-Odoi’s potential is undeniable, Hazard remains Chelsea’s main man, a point he stylishly underlined in the 60th minute. Teed up by Loftus-Cheek on the edge of the Brighton area, Hazard fooled Lewis Dunk with a drop of the shoulder that left the Brighton defender sliding past him, giving the Belgian time to bend a fine finish into the far corner.
AFP