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Football London
Football London
Sport
Ryan O'Donovan

The stunning stat that shows how vital starting Callum Hudson-Odoi is to Chelsea

Callum Hudson-Odoi started his first Premier League game for Chelsea in their 3-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion and he rewarded Maurizio Sarri almost immediately.

He popped up with an assist for Olivier Giroud's opener in the 38th minute and had a brilliant performance as he played the full 90 minutes for the first time in the league.

The 18-year-old had the beating of his man throughout the entire game and always looked a threat down the left, despite it not being his favoured side of the pitch to play down.

Hudson-Odoi stuns Stamford Bridge while Giroud makes a point - Chelsea talking points vs Brighton 

Sarri was full of praise for his wonderkid after the game saying that he felt that Hudson-Odoi was now ready to play as he has improved his tactical ability from pre-season, with his defensive work a particular highlight for his manager.

But Hudson-Odoi starting for Chelsea may be more vital than most people realise.

He has made nine starts for the Blues all season and has been directly involved in nine goals during those starts in all competitions, scoring four goals and assisting five.

(Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Every time the youngster plays for the side he seems to be involved in goals which for a side that has struggled in front of goal this season is encouraging to say the least.

He's only scored once when he hasn't started, however, with that goal coming in the 3-0 victory over Dynamo Kiev in the Europa League in March.

With Hudson-Odoi proving he is more than capable of playing at the highest level he will be hoping to get another start on Monday night against West Ham and continue his fine run of contributing to goals in games he starts in.

Sarri press conference: Every word on Callum Hudson-Odoi, Chelsea's win, Christensen & more 

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