Sarri reveals he mocked Hudson-Odoi for fluffed chance despite Chelsea kid’s impressive first start
England international missed a clear chance after he created Olivier Giroud's opener during the 3-0 win over Brighton
MAURIZIO SARRI poked fun at Callum Hudson-Odoi after he missed a "very easy goal" during the 3-0 win over Brighton.
The 18-year-old was a huge hit for Chelsea on his first Premier League start.
Hudson-Odoi created Olivier Giroud's opener before Eden Hazard and Ruben Loftus-Cheek sealed the deal.
But the youngster missed a clear chance to add his name to the score-sheet.
Hazard's cross deflected kindly into his path, but he completely missed the ball from close range.
Sarri admitted that he jokingly mocked Hudson-Odoi, who made his international debut for England last month, in the dressing room after the routine win at Stamford Bridge.
The future could be good.
Maurizio Sarri
The under-fire Italian said: "I told him that he missed a very easy goal. He has to stay with his feet on the floor. He's a good boy.
"He can risk thinking that he is a player at 100 per cent, but it's impossible to be at the top when you are 18.
"He can improve, and I want him to improve. In the future, he, Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] and Andreas [Christensen] can become top players.
"The future could be good."
HAZARD PRAISE
Hazard looks set to move to Real Madrid this summer, but he has vowed to keep Hudson-Odoi's feet firmly on the ground in Chelsea.
The Belgian said: "I told him if he stays humble at first, for me it is the best thing, to stay humble.
"Just work in training, score goals, and then just be happy on the pitch. He can go very far.
"For him it is easy because the players he has around him are quite humble, so if we were all thinking we are the best, for him it can be hard to stay humble.
"He has been waiting to start a game in the Premier League but he is ready."
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Fan favourite Hudson-Odoi has now scored four goals and made five assists in nine starts for Chelsea.
After the match, he said: "I am very happy for the win and we all worked hard. We had to get rhythm and bounced back well. Today we got told the team and had to prepare mentally.
";The manager told me to go and express myself. I feel comfortable, hopefully I did well."