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Callum Hudson-Odoi Praises 'Amazing' Jadon Sancho Ahead of Likely England Start
March 25, 2019
Callum Hudson-Odoi has praised England team-mate Jadon Sancho ahead of an expected first start for the Three Lions against Montenegro on Monday.
Per Sky Sports News, it is thought the Chelsea winger will play from the start in the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier, having come off the bench in Friday's 5-0 win against Czech Republic.
The 18-year-old said Sancho has helped him settle after his first call-up to the senior side, per Vaishali Bhardwaj of the Evening Standard:
"We have known each other since we were very young. We used to play against each other, and we were always close friends.
"No matter whether it was Chelsea against Watford, where we used to play against each other. We have always talked to each other off the pitch, called each other, speak to each other, see how the other one is going and he has had a great season.
"Since I have been here with England, he has helped me from day one, always made me feel comfortable and confident. Having a friend like that is amazing, just to bring you into the team and help yourself and be yourself. It is amazing."
The pair were in England's under-17 World Cup-winning squad together in 2017:
On Friday, the Chelsea winger came on for Raheem Sterling following the Manchester City star's hat-trick at Wembley Stadium.
He had a hand in a goal himself:
The teenager was delighted to have made his England debut:
Sancho made his fourth Three Lions appearance, having debuted for the national side in October.
He has played much more first-team football at club level than Hudson-Odoi, having made 47 appearances for Borussia Dortmund, including 26 Bundesliga starts and five in the UEFA Champions League.
By contrast, Hudson-Odoi has played 23 times for Chelsea and is still yet to start a Premier League game.
Hoping to take advantage of his situation at Stamford Bridge, Bayern Munich made four attempts to buy him in January.
Hudson-Odoi said he's not lacking patience despite his desire to play more football:
"No, I am not impatient in that way. I am always keen to play the game and loving playing football, but at times you have got to remain patient and wait for your time to come. Hopefully, many more will come.
"I always had the same mentality whatever age group it is. Whether it is U18s, U21s, first team or whatever it is. I still have the same mentality. I am not going to change because I have had one game for the first team or anything like that.
"I will go over there [with the U21s], be humble and be the same way. I will work hard as always. If I go over there, I will be the same way as I have been and I will be confident and be myself."
Goal's Nizaar Kinsella summarised his situation following his England call-up:
Though Hudson-Odoi said one game isn't going to change his mentality, he'll have the right to feel aggrieved if he continues to find opportunities scarce with the Blues after earning a starting berth with England.
First-team football is key for his development, and Chelsea will risk losing a potential future star if they begin to deliver it regularly soon.
"No matter whether it was Chelsea against Watford, where we used to play against each other. We have always talked to each other off the pitch, called each other, speak to each other, see how the other one is going and he has had a great season.
"Since I have been here with England, he has helped me from day one, always made me feel comfortable and confident. Having a friend like that is amazing, just to bring you into the team and help yourself and be yourself. It is amazing."
The pair were in England's under-17 World Cup-winning squad together in 2017:
On Friday, the Chelsea winger came on for Raheem Sterling following the Manchester City star's hat-trick at Wembley Stadium.
He had a hand in a goal himself:
The teenager was delighted to have made his England debut:
Sancho made his fourth Three Lions appearance, having debuted for the national side in October.
He has played much more first-team football at club level than Hudson-Odoi, having made 47 appearances for Borussia Dortmund, including 26 Bundesliga starts and five in the UEFA Champions League.
By contrast, Hudson-Odoi has played 23 times for Chelsea and is still yet to start a Premier League game.
Hoping to take advantage of his situation at Stamford Bridge, Bayern Munich made four attempts to buy him in January.
Hudson-Odoi said he's not lacking patience despite his desire to play more football:
"No, I am not impatient in that way. I am always keen to play the game and loving playing football, but at times you have got to remain patient and wait for your time to come. Hopefully, many more will come.
"I always had the same mentality whatever age group it is. Whether it is U18s, U21s, first team or whatever it is. I still have the same mentality. I am not going to change because I have had one game for the first team or anything like that.
"I will go over there [with the U21s], be humble and be the same way. I will work hard as always. If I go over there, I will be the same way as I have been and I will be confident and be myself."
Goal's Nizaar Kinsella summarised his situation following his England call-up:
Though Hudson-Odoi said one game isn't going to change his mentality, he'll have the right to feel aggrieved if he continues to find opportunities scarce with the Blues after earning a starting berth with England.
First-team football is key for his development, and Chelsea will risk losing a potential future star if they begin to deliver it regularly soon.