Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has justified his stance on Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The England international was heavily linked with a late deadline day move to Borussia Dortmund, who were hoping that he could replace the now departed Jadon Sancho for the season ahead.
But Tuchel blocked any move and now says that it was an easy decision to make, because it was impossible to allow any of his 19-man first team squad to leave.
He has also praised the versatility of the 20-year old, who can play not only as a winger, but as a wing-back on either flank.
Hudson Odoi was rewarded with his first start of the season against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on the weekend, and played his part in the side’s 3 – 0 victory.
Now he will be hoping for more opportunities, and will have an eye on the Champions League, with Chelsea beginning their defence with a home match against the Russian side Zenit St Petersburg on Tuesday evening.
Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.