Gareth Southgate has opened on the moment that he knew Callum Hudson-Odoi would be in contention to star for England.
The national team boss has named Hudson-Odoi in his starting line-up for the clash with Montenegro this evening, with the Chelsea player enjoying a strong performance as England prevailed.
Despite the 18-year-old having never started a game in the Premier League for Chelsea, Hudson-Odoi was trusted by Southgate in the European Championship qualifying encounter.
Montenegro 1-5 England player ratings: Sterling superb as Barkley, Hudson-Odoi and Rice excite
Some questioned the decision but more pundits and fans have wondered why Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has not handed the starlet a chance to start in the league yet.
Southgate, for one, identified Hudson-Odoi’s talent very early and insists that England cannot wait for young players to become club stars before bringing them on board.
“During the under-17 World Cup, you knew then that he could play for the (England) first team,” Southgate told ITV Sport.
“You can’t wait for players to play 50 times for their club. There is a tendency to look for a seasoned player but sometimes they don’t handle it and the younger ones do.”
'Sarri won’t give him a kick' - These Chelsea fans are excited as Hudson-Odoi starts for England
The Chelsea youngster left the game with an assist for Ross Barkley and impressed on his first start for England.
Hudson-Odoi played a full 90 minutes for England on his first international start, something he is yet to do in the Premier League for Chelsea.
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