Frank Lampard admits that Callum Hudson-Odoi was taught a ‘little lesson’ during Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Ajax on Wednesday night.
The Blues winger has made an excellent return after his long injury, having already got four assists to his name and one goal.
The 18-year-old as been thrown straight into Lampard’s first team, and made his first ever Champions League start for the club on Wednesday night in Amsterdam.
In the first half especially, Hudson-Odoi saw a lot of the ball and made several runs into the opposition’s box, creating a lot of trouble for the Dutch side when they were exposed.
However, unusually his final product was some way off and he wasted many opportunities to get decent balls into the box or to find that clinical pass.
Lampard has been delighted with the way that Hudson-Odoi has returned from his injury, and having signed a new five-year last month will be a big part of Chelsea’s future.
But the Blues boss also admitted that his young star still has a lot to learn and that his experience at the Johan Cruijff ArenA will teach him a lot.
“The fact that I know him - and Jody [Morris] and Joe [Edwards] know him better than me at close quarters - is a big positive for us,” Lampard said.
“We know him and we also what extra we want out of him, which is normal for any young player.
“So from the moment he stepped back on the training pitch when he was fit enough, I have been on him, we have been on him about things he can improve, on the ball, off the ball, end product, all the things I think will make him a really top player.
“And it has been great to see him showing signs of that and there is more to come. So I’m pleased.
“[It was] A great night for him against Ajax he showed he was a real threat but the next stage is can you be a threat with the end product? So that is a great little lesson for him. But yes, I’m really happy with his progress.”
Lampard has been quick at times to keep Hudson-Odoi’s feet on the ground since his return from injury, and in particular criticised him for some of his defensive work after the Grimsby Town rout.
But Chelsea’s boss believes that the youngster has exactly the right attitude to take that on board and that he has the ability to turn those negatives into positives.
“I don’t know exactly, that’s just what I feel about him,” Lampard added. “I don’t want to sound I’m being ultra-firm with him day-in, day-out. I was the first to congratulate him against Newcastle particularly when he ran back to tackle their full back in the corner with a recovery run.
“But there are moments with all the younger players when they need to hear the cruel reality of football.
“Because it is only being on edge consistently will bring them the big celebratory moments they will get when things all go well.”
