Merson Gives Sarri Backing In His Treatment Of Hudson-Odoi

Ex-Arsenal star Paul Merson believes Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is right not to be giving Callum Hudson-Odoi regular first team football.

The TV pundit thinks that the form of the Blues’ other three wingers: Eden Hazard, Pedro and Willian, means the 18-year-old should bide his time:

“I wouldn’t play Hudson-Odoi at the moment. I think he’s got to be patient. Pedro’s playing well at the moment. Pedro’s turned it around. This is the player who came from Barcelona, he’s playing that way at the moment.”

“I think Willian’s a top player as well. Them three [with Eden Hazard] all sing off the same hymn sheet.”

Merson also believes Chelsea’s transfer ban means Hudson-Odoi will be given more minutes on the pitch:

“He needs to improve his game. The longer he’s there training with quality players, and with this appeal which has just gone down, stay at Chelsea because you’re going to get games now.”

The London club have been told by FIFA that their ban won’t be lifted during their appeal, meaning they won’t be able to sign any players during the summer transfer window.

Chelsea are believed to be considering going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in order to argue their case that they are being treated unfairly by FIFA.

Previous bans against the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have been lifted during the appeal process, but the Blues have not been given the same treatment.