Chelsea deputy manager Gianfranco Zola has told Callum Hudson-Odoi to be happy with the chances he's received this season.
Hudson-Odoi surprisingly did not start in the Europa League against Malmo on Thursday and has made just two cameo appearances since the January window closed.
The teenager missed out on his move to Bayern Munich but Zola has told Hudson-Odoi there are plenty of youngsters out there getting no minutes whatsoever.
"He's always on the edge of the team," said Zola, who was standing in for manager Maurizio Sarri ahead of Monday night's FA Cup fifth-round clash with Manchester United.
"As soon as there is an opportunity, he plays. Sometimes from the beginning.. Sometimes he comes on. The manager is giving him plenty of reasons to feel involved and wanted.
"I want to stress this out: there aren't many 18-year-olds in Europe playing as many games as he is. There might be one or two.
"He's playing. And, on top of that, he's a player we appreciate and we believe is growing up. He has a bright future in this club."