Chelsea started with Callum Hudson-Odoi for their Carabao Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley tonight - despite the player being the subject of intense transfer speculation.
The teenager, who has one goal and three assists in his last four senior starts, is wanted by Bayern Munich who are prepared to shell out £35million on the player as they look to revamp their midfield which will soon lose Arjen Robben.
Asked about the decision to play Hudson-Odoi with so much pressure on the player, Blues boss Maurizio Sarri said: "He is on the pitch because he played well in the last match and he is doing very well in training. Secondly, because I do not want players on the pitch who are at risk of substitution like Willian, Pedro or Olivier Giroud so I prefer to play with young players."
Sarri has stated this week that he doesn't want to sell the player, arguing that staying at the club will be better for the player's long term future at both club and country level. But the feeling is that Hudson-Odoi is keen to join the Bundesliga giants having been encouraged by the success of young English players in Germany such as Jadon Sanch at Borussia Dortmund.
Another interesting selection tonight saw Alvaro Morata left out but Sarri insisted this was because of an injury to a striker who is wanted by a host of clubs in this transfer window.
Sarri explained: "Alvaro (Morata) had a little problem with his hamstring in training this morning, so we preferred him to rest."
It was reported yesterday that Morata could be on his way to Sevilla, potentially on loan.
