“Promising and threatening”- 20-year-old Chelsea starlet told to up his game by Man United legend

United legend Rio Ferdinand believes Callum Hudson-Odoi has to step up his game to establish himself at Chelsea

According to Vibe with FIVE (h/t Metro), Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has warned Callum Hudson-Odoi to up his game at Chelsea. Ferdinand revealed that academy prospect Trevoh Chalobah is quickly growing into the first team and would play an important role this season for the Blues.

Chelsea are off to a flyer in the Premier League so far, winning 3 games out of 4. They are currently second in the league table. The Blues dropped points away at Anfield where they were down to 10 men. Thomas Tuchel’s men were back in action this weekend against Aston Villa at home and both Hudson-Odoi & Trevoh Chalobah started the game.

Callum Hudson-Odoi is yet to be a key player for Thomas Tuchel's team.
Callum Hudson-Odoi is yet to be a key player for Thomas Tuchel’s team.

Hudson-Odoi had interest from other clubs this summer, but Thomas Tuchel kept a hold of the youngster. The 20-year old was given a nod to start the game this weekend. However, opportunities may quickly shrink as soon as Reece James is back after suspension.

The concerns of Hudson-Odoi getting few opportunities this season was also touched upon by Rio Ferdinand. During his podcast on Vibe with Five (h/t Metro) on youtube he highlighted how Hudson-Odoi’s buzz seems to have fizzled out, but that he still has time to make it at the club:

“Hudson-Odoi has been promising and threatening for a couple of seasons now….It’s got to be his breakthrough season where he really cements his place in that team if he’s going to have a chance of staying there and being a real Chelsea player for many years to come. He’s got undoubted talent, but he hasn’t really translated the talent he showed as a kid in the youth teams and the teams coming up.”

The United legend also spoke highly of Chalobah and suggested that the young defender could get game time this and he is looking forward to it after his impressive performances so far.

Callum Hudson-Odoi started the game against Aston Villa at home in a 3-0 win.
Callum Hudson-Odoi started the game against Aston Villa at home in a 3-0 win.

“I saw him play in the Super Cup and he was outstanding and I thought, Yeah this is a good chance for him, this season could be a good one that he comes in and does well.”

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Trevoh, who is just 22 years old, started in the UEFA Super Cup clash against Villarreal and since then has had featured twice in the Premier League. The player also scored against Crystal Palace in a 3-0 opening fixture in the League. How does Thomas Tuchel make use of both the youngsters this season and who among them will have a big impact on the team remains to be seen.