Hypocritical Chelsea hype up Hudson-Odoi just hours after Sarri claims there is too much pressure on teenage star
The 18-year-old is the Blues poster-boy ahead of the Europa League last-16 second leg against Dynamo Kiev
CHELSEA have used Callum Hudson-Odoi to promote their Europa League clash with Dynamo Kiev despite manager Maurizio Sarri wanting him shielded from media scrutiny.
ahead of the last-16 second leg in Ukraine on Thursday, with kick-off at 5:55pm.
To build anticipation ahead of the game, the club's Twitter account has posted a short video confirmed the details of the game alongside an image of the teenage winger.
The accompanying message read: "Matchday in Kiev! We lead this tie 3-0..."
Hudson-Odoi has only played 17 times this season and has been constantly held back by Sarri, to the frustration of many Chelsea fans.
With the 2013 winners holding a comfortable lead from the first game at Stamford Bridge, Hudson-Odoi could be given a rare start in Ukraine.
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But Sarri has been unhappy with the special attention paid to the winger, and has blamed the media for putting extra pressure on his young shoulders.
When asked if Hudson-Odoi would feature, the Italian said: “Why not (Ethan) Ampadu? Tell me the difference.
"I have a lot of players of course. I know very well that for you (the media) Odoi is the best, but for me I want to see them all at the same level.
"Odoi is doing very well in the last period. He will be for sure in the 18 – maybe on the pitch, I don’t know.
"But I want to send to my team the message that the match is very important. I don’t want to make a mistake in this.
"As you know, in the last match Odoi was the first change. So you know very well that Odoi is on my mind for every match."
Bayern interest
A lack of playing time is central to Hudson-Odoi's desire to leave Chelsea, though his future remains uncertain ahead of Chelsea's transfer ban for the next two windows.
Bayern Munich have had multiple bids for the 18-year-old rejected.
While his club side remain lukewarm over his talent, England have moved to include Hudson-Odoi in their Under-21 squad for the first time.
Coach Aidy Boothroyd has selected the youngster for the friendlies against Poland and Germany during the international break.
The matches will work as preparation for the Under-21 European Championships in Italy and San Marino this summer.
Previously capped at Under-16, Under-17, Under-18 and Under-19 level, Hudson-Odoi is rewarded for having forced his way into the Chelsea senior squad this season.