How Chelsea could line up with Sarri under pressure to use Hudson-Odoi for Man Utd tie
Blues have four months to convince the wantaway 18-year-old forward to stay at Stamford Bridge
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STUBBORN Maurizio Sarri knows what the Stamford Bridge faithful want.
Chelsea's under-pressure boss has resisted temptation to given in to popular demand and play 18-year-old starlet Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The Blues youngster, subject of a £35million bid from Bayern Munich last month, has been a bit-part figure in the first-team this season.
But with Man United the visitors to West London on Monday night for a blockbuster FA Cup clash, an opportunity arises for the promising forward to star for the competition holders.
Fans want to see Hudson-Odoi start alongside Eden Hazard and Gonzalo Higuain in a triple-H trident.
The teenager was given six minutes at the end of Thursday's Europa League win over Malmo in only his second appearance this month.
Gianfranco Zola, Sarri's assistant, was criticised for defending his Italian compatriot's position over Hudson-Odoi prior to the game.
Zola said: "The manager is giving him plenty of reasons to feel involved and wanted. I want to stress this out: there aren't many 18-year-olds in Europe playing as many games as he is."
Supporters also want to see N'Golo Kante back in his position as the defensive shield and Ruben Loftus-Cheek afforded the opportunity.
Yet, all three hopes are likely to be dashed.
Sarri is expected to persist with his usual starting XI, trusting the experience of Pedro ahead of the young Hudson-Odoi.
Jorginho, the crucial component of Sarri-ball, will stay in his pivot position with Kante pushed out to the right where his defensive ability is rendered useless.
A persistent back injury means Loftus-Cheek is likely to stay on the bench, with Sarri favouring Ross Barkley or Mateo Kovacic.
Still, supporters will hope and pray the Italian finally gives in to popular opinion.