Callum Hudson-Odoi watch: How he did for Chelsea against Tottenham
Chelsea lost 1-0 to Tottenham in the first leg of their semi-final
By Adam Bate
Image:Callum Hudson-Odoi started for Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final
Callum Hudson-Odoi told Sky Sports before the game that Chelsea’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Tottenham at Wembley was “definitely” the biggest game of his career. So how did the Bayern Munich target perform? We take a look.
"I am fully focused on the game," the 18-year-old winger told Sky Sports beforehand. The reports of a fourth bid from Bayern for his services had dominated the build-up but Maurizio Sarri rewarded the player's FA Cup efforts against Nottingham Forest with another start.
"It has definitely boosted my confidence and made me feel more fearless on the pitch," said Hudson-Odoi of his appearance against Forest, but he did not have it quite so easy against Spurs. Chelsea were beaten 1-0 at Wembley although the youngster did his best to impress.
Here, we pick out his key moments from the game…
Hudson-Odoi watch: First half
2 – Looks comfortable in possession and plays a clever little pass forward between the lines that almost succeeds in getting behind the Tottenham defence.
3 – Gets his first chance to run at Danny Rose and then chops the ball inside before picking out a good forward pass into the space between defence and midfield.
7 – Takes down a good pass by Willian and shoots hard and low at Paulo Gazzaniga. “This should give him confidence, these early minutes,” says Alan Smith. “If he needed any.”
12 – Lofts in a sloppy cross when well placed and it is easily collected by Gazzaniga. Then fails to control a pass from Jorginho that might have got him in behind.
20 – Slips a pass inside towards Eden Hazard who fires off a fierce left-footed shot that is well saved by Gazzaniga in the Tottenham goal.
37 – Another purposeful run at the home side’s defence sees him get the ball forward to Hazard but Willian’s cross is cleared.
41 – Is fed the ball by N’Golo Kante and then quickly cuts inside on his left foot only to strike his shot over the bar when well placed inside the penalty box.
45+2 – Sees his deflected cross threaten to loop over Gazzaniga only for the Spurs goalkeeper to tip the ball onto the woodwork.
Watch Hudson Odoi's cross get tipped onto the post by Paulo Gazzaniga
Pundit view: Joe Cole
"We know he has got ability," former Chelsea winger Joe Cole told Sky Sports during the half-time interval. "He has given Rose something to think about. Part of the message from Maurizio Sarri at half time will be to get him running towards goal and facing up the full-back, because every time he has done that we have looked dangerous."
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Image:Hudson-Odoi fires off a shot as Tottenham's Danny Rose challenges
Hudson-Odoi watch: Second half
56 – Quick feet buys him a yard of space on the right edge of the penalty box but Kieran Trippier does well to deal with the chipped cross.
62 – Shifted to the left wing following the introduction of Pedro in favour of Willian.
78 – Decent left-footed cross towards Marcos Alonso at the near post is well defended and results in a corner to Chelsea.
79 –Olivier Giroud comes on to replace him. “He has done nothing wrong tonight,” says Smith. “He can be proud of his performance.”
KEY STAT: Hudson-Odoi played 43 passes in the opposition half, more than any other player on either team did during his time on the pitch.
"It is a big decision for the lad," said Smith of Bayern's interest. "It's not easy to turn down a club of Bayern Munich's stature. What an experience for him at a young age. You don't get many chances like that in your career. He will have to weigh up what kind of game time he would get at Chelsea and what kind of game time he would get at Bayern."