Maurizio Sarri says Callum Hudson-Odoi will ‘probably’ start when Chelsea face Brighton on Wednesday.
The 18-year-old made his senior England debut in the recent international break, impressing in Gareth Southgate’s side’s 5-1 win in Montenegro, but is yet to start a Premier League game for Chelsea.
The talented teenager is stalling on signing a contract extension at Stamford Bridge, as he seeks assurances over his playing time, however, Sarri has revealed the academy graduate is likely to make his first league start in midweek.
‘In pre-season after four or five training sessions I realised Callum was a player with great potential,’ Sarri told his pre-match press conference.
‘In my opinion in that moment he wasn’t ready to play at this level, but during the season he has improved and now he is ready to play.
‘I decided at the beginning of the season he had to stay with us and I put him in the squad. I know Callum very well. I want him to improve more. His potential is high. Callum is always in my mind. He is our future, and now he is ready to play. Probably he will start tomorrow, or the next match.
‘Firstly I want to see the condition of all our players, of Willi, Pedro, Eden, all the wingers, but of course he is in my mind.’