After a meteoric rise through the youth system, 17-year-old Hudson-Odoi is a star in the making at Stamford Bridge
Over the past few years Chelsea have come in for criticism for not having enough faith in their academy products.
John Terry, who made his debut for the Blues 20 years ago, was the last true star to emerge from the training fields at Cobham – but now there’s a new kid on the block.
Who is Callum Hudson-Odoi?
Born in November 2000 just a stones-throw from Stamford Bridge in Wandsworth, Hudson-Odoi is from a family of footballers.
He’s the son of former Hearts player Bismark Odoi and his older brother Bradley is currently on the books at Wealdstone.
Hudson-Odoi joined Chelsea at under-8 level, with coaches immediately impressed by his natural talent and speed.
Promoted to the under-23 reserve side at just 16, he is capable of playing anywhere along the front-three and is at his best cutting in from the wings.
The youngster proved he’s got an eye for goal last term, netting four times in three Football League trophy matches.
And in the FA Youth Cup – which Chelsea won for a FIFTH consecutive season – he crashed in a stunning ten goals and seven assists from seven games.
Despite interest from Europe’s finest, Hudson-Odoi signed a professional contract last summer which runs until 2020.
He has starred in the England youth setup and bagged 5 goals in 22 games for the under-17 squad, helping them to the World Cup triumph last year.
Still just 17 years old, he has regularly featured in pre-season and looks set to play a part in the first-team under new boss Maurizio Sarri.
When did he make his Chelsea debut?
Antonio Conte was also impressed with Hudson-Odoi’s rapid progress in the youth setup.
On January 28, Hudson-Odoi made his first-team debut in the FA Cup tie against Newcastle, coming on as a second-half substitute.
And he didn’t have to wait much longer to appear in the Premier League, appearing in the 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth three days later.
