OH-BOY
Callum Hudson-Odoi out for the season with ruptured Achilles in huge injury blow for Chelsea
Blues starlet hobbled off five minutes before half-time and will miss the remainder of the campaign
Blues starlet hobbled off five minutes before half-time and will miss the remainder of the campaign
CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI suffered a ruptured Achilles that ended his season in cruel fashion on Monday night.
Teen star Hudson-Odoi, 18, limped out of the Premier League clash with Burnley just before half-time.
He lasted just 40 minutes before being replaced by Pedro and limping down the tunnel.
He did damage in innocuous circumstances by simply controlling the ball, but his pain soon became apparent as he slumped to the turf.
The 18-year-old confirmed after the game that he had ruptured his Achilles and would miss the rest of the season.
Hudson-Odoi had just began to establish himself in the Chelsea first-team after being made to wait for his chance by Maurizio Sarri.
And he has responded with some breathtaking displays to leave both fans and team-mates desperate to see him part of the club's starting XI for many years to come.
Chelsea defender Emerson Palmieri said in the matchday programme: "For me, Callum is the future of Chelsea.
"He has already demonstrated at this age - at 18 - that he is very strong, and he has done it at Chelsea, which is a great team."
The Italian added: "For me, within two or three years, he will be at the top of his game."
Chelsea will now be anxiously waiting to discover the extent of the injury as they look to secure a place in next season's Champions League.
They still have Manchester United, Watford and Leicester to play in their final three Premier League matches as the Blues aim to seal a top four spot.
And next week they play the first leg of their Europa League semi-final away to German side Eintracht Frankfurt.
Despite not starting as much as Chelsea supporters would like, the talented teen has made 24 appearances this campaign, scoring five times.
And his displays were rewarded a month ago by England boss Gareth Southgate as he handed him an international debut in the 5-0 thrashing over Czech Republic at Wembley.
But he will now miss England's Nations League campaign in June as well as the remaining Blues' fixtures this season.
N'Golo Kante also went off injured on Monday night, being replaced by Mateo Kovacic at half-time with a suspected back problem.
