Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri tells youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi to improve defensive work rate

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri believes youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi has to upgrade his defensive work rate if he intends to become a truly great player. 

"I think that Hudson-Odoi is a very good player. The potential is for him becoming a great player and now he has to improve.

"With the ball he is a very good player, he has to improve with movement without the ball. As a winger, he has to improve in the defensive phase but he has the potential to become a very important player," Sarri said.

Hudson-Odoi, who made his senior debut for Chelsea in the 3-0 FA Cup victory over Newcastle last January, is still yet to start a Premier League match for the club.

He featured as a first-half substitute in the Boxing Day victory over Watford but failed to finish the match with head coach Maurizio Sarri withdrawing him for Emerson Palmieri during the closing stages.

Hudson is reportedly close to leaving Chelsea during the January transfer window with German giants Bayern Munich offering  £30m for his services.