Brilliant England starlets Hudson-Odoi and Foden made first Prem starts for Chelsea and Man City… here’s how they got on
Two of England's brightest young talents were finally given a chance from the start in the Premier League last night
IT WAS a special night for the future of English football yesterday as Callum Hudson-Odoi and Phil Foden were both given their first Premier League starts.
Chelsea fans finally got their wish as Maurizio Sarri trusted Hudson-Odoi from the outset at home to Brighton, while Foden helped Manchester City return to the top of the table. Here's how they got on...
GOT THE CALL
ANYONE who says Hudson-Odoi did not put a foot wrong in his first full Premier League match was not at Chelsea to see it.
But the lifelong Blues fan's sheer enthusiasm sent a buzz around Stamford Bridge and helped revitalise his side.
The raw teenager’s amusing air kick at an Eden Hazard cross in the Brighton box was a reminder of how far Hudson-Odoi still has to go to become a polished star.
But the fact he was on the pitch is a sign of how far he has come. Hudson-Odoi is an 18-year-old first teamer at one of the biggest clubs in a league where debut ages average out at around 23.
Last night he finally broke through and livened up a team which has been flat-lining in recent weeks.
DREAM COME TRUE
His control was impressive if not perfect. His communication was way above his years and his zest gave everyone around him a lift too in a much-improved performance all round.
Hudson-Odoi had the hosts' first shot on target then set up Olivier Giroud for the first of the three goals.
This was a dream come true.
Hudson-Odoi has never wanted to leave but felt a transfer request was the only way to further his career.
Incidentally his 92.3 per cent pass completion rate was better than Hazard’s.
FODEN'S MAGIC LAMP
FODEN’S first Premier League start was a flashback to Frank Lampard.
It was very different to his displays in the England Under-21s where he dictated play - for Manchester City it is Fernandinho who does that.
Foden, 18, was the midfield support as his Brazilian team-mate pulled the strings.
And it showed how effective he can be as an attacking midfielder, driving forward with runs late into the box like Lamps did for Chelsea and a season at the Etihad.
Like the England legend, Foden also tried his luck from long-range and could easily have been on the scoresheet but for Cardiff keeper Neil Etheridge and the post.
It took him 20 minutes to get into the game but the midfielder then showed why City believe he is a first-team star of the future.
He makes intelligent, mature decisions on the ball and, with Fernandinho offering protection, he has the licence to move forward.
Latest Premier League news
Pep Guardiola played him on the left of a midfield three - in a 4-3-3 formation - and that is probably where his best position will be.
But he is the type of player that will do a job in any position as he has discipline rarely seen in a player of his age.
They could need him at left-back after Oleksandr Zinchenko was injured - but he staked a claim to be a regular midfielder.
