Callum Hudson-Odoi 'ready to play every match', insists Chelsea manager Maurzio Sarri after impressive display against Brighton

Winger has found chances limited this season, despite keen interest from Bayern Munich, but a fine display on Wednesday seems to have won over his manager

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Brighton & Hove Albion - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - April 3, 2019  Chelsea's Ruben Loftus-Cheek shakes hands with Callum Hudson-Odoi before he leaves the pitch after being substituted               REUTERS/David Klein  EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.  Please contact your account representative for further details.
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Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has said Callum Hudson-Odoi can expect a run in the first team after the teenage winger's impressive full Premier League debut against Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday night.

Hudson-Odoi, 18, was lively throughout and set up Olivier Giroud's opening goal in the 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea moved up to fifth and level on points with fourth-placed Arsenal and one point behind Tottenham Hotspur in third. Eden Hazard and Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored the hosts' other goals with similar curling long-range efforts.

Hudson-Odoi, who has been courted by Bayern Munich and is the object of keen interest at home and abroad, last month made his first start for England but had previously not done enough to convince Sarri of a regular starting place.

However, the under-pressure Italian has insisted the winger is set for a prolonged run in the side as Chelsea aim to keep alive their hopes of a top-four finish and success in the Europa League.

"Callum now is ready to play every match and also the most difficult matches because he has improved a lot throughout the season," Sarri said.

"It's impossible to be at the top when you are 18 so he can improve, he needs to improve and then he can become one of the best players in Europe."

Sarri also singled out fellow Academy graduates Loftus-Cheek and Danish defender Andreas Christensen as players who are making their mark.

"They are at the moment very important players but the potential is there so in the future they can become top players. I think for this team the future can be good," he said.

"Sometimes it is difficult to keep young players because when they are under 18 they can sign only for two years."

Brighton, fighting to avoid being dragged into the relegation fight, remain 15th, five points above the drop zone.