Callum Hudson-Odoi: Eden Hazard says he was “better at 18”; issues advice to youngster

Eden Hazard talked about Callum Hudson-Odoi and jokingly claimed that he was better at his age than the English youngster.

Chelsea secured vital three points in the game against Brighton and Hove Albion in the mid-week Premier League game.

The side climbed to the fifth position in the league after Manchester United conceded a stunning defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday night.

Callum Hudson-Odoi made his first ever Premier League start in the game, and had an instant impact as he assisted Olivier Giroud for Chelsea’s opener. He gave an impressive performance to seal the Blues’ victory in the game.

Eden Hazard, who scored and assisted in the game, has now talked about the English youngster and had some advice for Hudson-Odoi.

Eden Hazard on Callum Hudson-Odoi:

The Chelsea attacker had a similar start to his professional career as Hudson-Odoi. The Belgian attacker made his professional debut at the age of 17, and soon became the most talked about youngster in football.

A lack of opportunities for Hudson-Odoi in the Premier League led to speculations surrounding his long-term future at the club, but Maurizio Sarri finally gave him the start this week. The 18-year-old player also received his first international call-up last month, and starred for England in both the games of Euro qualifiers.

Eden Hazard acknowledged that Hudson-Odoi is a great player, but joked that he was better than him at his age.

“[I was] better I think!” said Hazard.

“I don’t need to talk. If he wants to ask me something, I will tell him, no problem, but he is a great player already. I am not surprised,” the Belgian star added.

Hazard insisted that he would be available to teach Hudson-Odoi, and admitted that the youngster was desperate for a Premier League start.

“Since day one he trained with us, he had great skills. If he wants advice, I can teach him, but you know he has everything already. I think the guy was waiting to start a game in the Premier League, but he is ready. You can see the way he is taking the ball. He is playing with a lot of confidence.

“He is still young and can improve, of course, but he is already very good. I think he was happy to play today. You know when you are young you just play, and sometimes you try and miss, but the good thing is to give freshness in the team.”

Eden Hazard revealed the piece of advice he gave to Callum Hudson-Odoi.

“I told him if he stays humble at first, for me it is the best thing, to stay humble,” Hazard continued. “Work in training, score goals, and then be happy on the pitch. He can go very far.

“I was not listening to everything [people said about me]. Then I think my family also helped me to stay humble.

“In football that can happen very quickly, you can be at the top in two months, and then in two months, everyone can forget about you. But I think if you keep your feet on the floor and train.”

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What next?

Chelsea returns to action on Sunday as the side takes on West Ham United in the Premier League. \