Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi 'needs games' but will become 'a top, top player', says team-mate Olivier Giroud.
England international Hudson-Odoi impressed on his first Premier League he helped set Chelsea on their way to a 3-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.
The 18-year-old set up Giroud for Chelsea's first-half opener at Stamford Bridge, with the Frenchman producing a tidy finish from close range.
Hudson-Odoi is being coveted by teams across Europe, with Bayern Munich having already have failed with three bids - the last of around £36million. Liverpool and Manchester United have also been linked with the teenager.
And Giroud is not surprised by the interest in his team-mate as he hailed the forward's "huge potential".
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Giroud said of Hudson Odoi's assist for his opener: "It was a good cross and a good finish. The keeper was on the ground so I put it in the air. I was happy for the team and myself."
"I'm not surprised (about Hudson-Odoi). He's improving. He's got huge potential. I'm sure he will become a top, top player. He needs to play in more games but it's coming. He's a good player and a good man in the dressing room. England can be happy to have him."
Quickfire goals from Eden Hazard and Ruben Loftus-Cheek put the Blues in total control against Chris Hughton's relegation battlers in the second period.
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Hazard curled home from the edge of the box from Loftus-Cheek's pass, before the latter got on the scoresheet with an excellent 25-yard strike into the top corner.
The win saw Chelsea move up one place to fifth in the table, level on points with Arsenal in the race for the top four.
Giroud was glad to play his part in the victory, and said Maurizio Sarri's men must now keep up the momentum as the Champions League chase hots up.
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He said: "When I’m on the pitch I try to help my team to win and try to score when I have an opportunity. We need to keep this up. We’ve shown some great character. We scored nice goals. It’s good for the future. We need the momentum now."
Of Hazard's goal, he said: "It was typically what he can do in training - dribbling past one player and shooting. The keeper was a bit unlucky with the goals because Ruben Loftus-Cheek's goal was top corner."
Brighton must pick themselves up for Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley.
