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Maurizio Sarri Calls Out Bayern Munich for Callum Hudson-Odoi Pursuit

Rory Marsden@@roomarsdenFeatured ColumnistJanuary 11, 2019

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 08: Callum Hudson-Odoi of Chelsea during the Carabao Cup Semi-Final between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on January 8, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Visionhaus/Getty Images

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has accused Bayern Munich of not being professional over their pursuit of winger Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Speaking in a press conference on Friday ahead of his side's game with Newcastle United, he added he would like to keep the 18-year-old at Stamford Bridge, per Oliver Harbord of Football.London:

"I think it is not professional. They are talking about a player under contract with Chelsea, so they didn’t respect our club I think. I am very happy with the player, he is improving a lot. He needs to move in some moments without the ball. I would like to have him in the future."

Hudson-Odoi has been heavily linked with Bayern after failing to get enough game time under Sarri at Chelsea.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 08:  Maurizio Sarri, Manager of Chelsea looks on prior to the Carabao Cup Semi-Final First Leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on January 8, 2019 in London, England.  (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty
Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

According to Tom Hamilton of ESPN FC, Bayern recently lodged a fourth bid for the youngster worth £35 million, and Hudson-Odoi is not interested in signing a new contract at Stamford Bridge, with his deal set to expire in 2020.

What likely irked Sarri most is that the Bundesliga giants have made their interest in the England youth international public.

The club's sporting director, Hasan Salihamidzic, said on Wednesday that Bayern have "a great interest in signing him," per Hamilton.

Hudson-Odoi has started back-to-back games for Chelsea in the past week, starring for the Blues with two assists as they beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 in the FA Cup before playing 79 minutes in the 1-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

However, he has made just one appearance from the bench all season in the Premier League, and it sounds unlikely he will start again in Saturday's meeting with Newcastle United:

Liam Twomey @liam_twomey

Sarri also said Hudson-Odoi was looking tired in training this week after two games in three days. He wants to take another look at him today #cfc

It would be a major move for the London-born Hudson-Odoi to make the switch to German champions Bayern.

But there is recent precedent in the shape of Jadon Sancho, who is flourishing at Borussia Dortmund after leaving Manchester City in the summer of 2017.