LONDON • Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri needs no convincing about Callum Hudson-Odoi's immense potential, but is reluctant to put too much pressure on the teenager as it could prove "dangerous" for his development.
The winger, who emerged as a transfer target for German giants Bayern Munich in January, came off the bench to score a late goal in Chelsea's 3-0 win over Dynamo Kiev in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 clash on Thursday.
Supporters at Stamford Bridge were chanting for him to be brought on before the 18-year-old, who has not been able to break into the first team this season, was introduced with 12 minutes to go.
"He doesn't have to do anything to convince me. He's a very great player. In my opinion, a player at 18 years old cannot be at the top. He needs to improve until he's 22 or 23," Sarri told a news conference after the match, in which Pedro and Willian also scored.
"To have pressure when you're 18 is dangerous. You can lose (sight of) the target. When you're 18, the target is to improve tactically, mentally and physically. I don't like to speak about him for this reason.
"Now he needs to improve without the pressure of the media, the fans and the club, but he is in my mind for every match."
The win put Chelsea in a strong position to reach the quarter-finals of Europe's second-tier club competition, but Sarri warned his players against complacency ahead of the return leg in Kiev next Thursday.
"Now we have to be careful. We have to go there with a good level of application and determination if we want to qualify," he added.
"If you concede a goal, you can go mentally in trouble. We have to go there with the right level of attention."
In the Premier League, while top-four rivals Arsenal and Manchester United square off at the Emirates tomorrow, the Blues will host Wolves - while also having a home match (their game in hand) against Brighton to be fitted in at some point.
Sarri believes that the next two matches will be crucial for Chelsea to get ahead in the tough battle for the Champions League spots.
"I think that we have two big opportunities - this match and then when we will play the match against Brighton," he said.
"But I think we will be fighting for the top four until the last minute of the last match. Every match will be important in our future."
REUTERS
Manchester City's hopes of retaining their Premier League title suffered a potentially grievous blow as struggling Newcastle United earned a remarkable 2-1 comeback win over the champions at St
Man City title hopes hit by shock defeat at Newcastle | The
David Beckham salutes LA Galaxy and Los Angeles as statue unveiled The statue, a first for an MLS player, honours the former England captain who was the first big European name to join the league, boosting its popularity and paving the way for other global stars to make the leap.
Beckham salutes LA Galaxy and Los Angeles as statue unveiled
Babel strike leaves Cardiff on brink of relegation Premier League - Fulham v Cardiff City - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - April 27, 2019 Fulhams Ryan Babel (not pictured) scores their first goal as Cardiff Citys Neil Etheridge tries to make the save REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (Reuters) - Ryan Babel
Babel strike leaves Cardiff on brink of relegation - espn.com
Seems like reds should always be ok to attack, right? Even if they're a friendly faction? if they aggress one of my traders and turn red,
Cincinnati Reds Baseball - Reds News, Scores, Stats, Rumors
Brendan Rodgers took a step closer to a return to the Premier League on Tuesday when Celtic chiefs said they had allowed him to talk to Leicester City who on Sunday fired manager Claude Puel. Rodgers, 46, has not coached an English top flight team since Liverpool sacked him in October 2015.
Leicester City target Celtic's Rodgers to replace Puel
en.rfi.fr/sports/20190226-leicester-city-target-celtics-rodgers-replace-claude-puel
Brendan Rodgers took a step closer to a return to the Premier League on Tuesday when Celtic chiefs said they had allowed him to talk to Leicester City who on Sunday fired manager Claude Puel.
Leicester City target Celtic's Rodgers to replace Puel
Atletico spoil Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Madrid, Juve's UCL hopes-Following Atletico Madrid's opener, ESPN FC's Craig Burley and Alejandro Moreno saw a Juventus side that appeared 'flustered and rattled.'
Atletico spoil Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Madrid, Juve's
Guardiola coy over quadruple bid after City reach FA Cup final City can win the quadruple after his side reached the FA Cup final with a 1-0 win over Brighton on Saturday. but City manager
Guardiola coy over quadruple bid after City reach FA Cup final
Man City end Liverpool's unbeaten run, cut lead to four Klopp's side and cutting their lead at the top to four points. sides showing that for all their trademark attractive football, they
Man City end Liverpool's unbeaten run, cut lead to four
Football: Jurgen Klopp fires up Liverpool with 'It's only
Real Madrid 1-4 Ajax (3-5 agg): Dusan Tadic shines as reigning champions crash out in humiliation after visitors put on stunning display to claim historical win at Bernabeu and progress to the
France coach Didier Deschamps said on Monday that Olympique Lyonnais left back Ferland Mendy will join Real Madrid. Spanish media reports said Real had agreed a fee of 55 million euros ($62.22 million) for Mendy, who has made 79 appearances for Lyon since moving from Le Havre in 2017.
Mendy Set for Real Move, Says France Coach Deschamps News
Football fans urge S/Eagles to emulate Liverpool spirit at AFCON The Nation Newspaper Football: Liverpool fans in Singapore and around the world in awe after improbable comeback
Football: Klopp hails 'best night' of his life after ending
sportstoft.com/soccer/football-klopp-hails-best-night-of-his-life-after-ending-final-hex/
Liverpool vs Porto Champions League team news: Dejan Lovren returns to starting XI ; Football: Messi torments Liverpool with 600th Barca goal in 3-0 Champions League win ; Football: Liverpool fans in Singapore and around the world in awe after improbable comeback
Football Raddy Avramovic Could Make Shock Return To Singapore
0 comments:
Post a Comment