Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown branded Maurizio Sarri ‘stupid’ for keeping Chelsea youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi on the bench as the FA Cup holders crashed out of the competition at the hands of Manchester United.
First half headers from Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba gave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side a commanding advantage and one they never looked like surrendering.
Despite his side’s failure to threaten United No.2 Sergio Romero, Sarri steadfastly refused to introduced the teenager who the club fought so hard to keep in January amid serious interest from Bayern Munich.
The Stamford Bridge faithful had already made their feelings known before the former Napoli coach made the baffling decision to bring on defender Davide Zappacosta in place of Cesar Azpilicueta.
Responding to the change, BBC co-commentator Keown said: ‘He’s [Hudson-Odoi] probably wondering, isn’t he. ‘I mean they’re two goals down and he’s put a defender on. ‘Is it a political move from the manager because it’s a stupid one if it is.’