Chelsea fans have been quick to criticise Maurizio Sarri's team selections this season but there was an unnerving sense of calm, almost joy, when the starting line-up for their Europa League clash against Malmo was announced on Thursday evening.
The Chelsea Twitter account normally sends fans into meltdown when the starting XI is announced but there was relief that under-pressure manager Maurizio Sarri had finally given Callum Hudson-Odoi a chance to impress in the second leg.
With Chelsea leading 2-1 after winning the first leg in Sweden last Thursday, Sarri had the luxury of being able to rotate his team in what could be his final match as manager at Stamford Bridge. Newspaper reports have suggested that Sarri could be sacked after Sunday's League Cup final against Manchester City.
The Starting XI: Caballero, Azpiliqueta, Rudiger, Christensen, Emerson, Kante, Kovacic, Kante, Barkley, Willian, Giroud, Hudson-Odoi.
Twitter reacted to his team selection in typically understated fashion...
Very nice of Sarri to start Hudson-Odoi in his last game for Chelsea at the Bridge. [@SarriBallEra]
Hudson-Odoi has been a sought after talent as the 18-year-old has been linked with £40m moves to the likes of Bayern Munich and Paris St-Germain in recent months. He has appeared in just 13 games for the senior team so far this season but there is genuine excitement at the potential of the Blues starlet.
Chelsea fans couldn't quit believe their eyes it seems...
Kante CDM and Hudson Odoi starting. Is sarri feeling alright?? [@_MajesticMorata]
About time Hudson odoi got some game time, would love to see loftus cheek and ampadu get some minutes as well [@AlediPasquali]
Sarri has come in for criticism for his continual decision to substitute Ross Barkley and Mateo Kovacic for one another during the course of the campaign. However, both players were named in the starting line-up on Thursday night, meaning he won't get criticised for that particular substitution this week at least...
