Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has revealed team-mate Callum Hudson-Odoi has asked for his advice about a move to Bayern Munich as the Blues face a battle to hold on to the teenager.
Hudson-Odoi, who impressed on his second consecutive start for the club in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg defeat by Tottenham last night, is wanted by Bayern Munich.
The Bundesliga club lodged a fourth bid yesterday worth £31.4million, not including add-ons. Reports Chelsea have accepted it are premature but they are concerned the 18-year-old plans to leave.
Rudiger is a Germany international who knows the Bundesliga well, having begun his career at Stuttgart, and the 25-year-old defender wants Hudson-Odoi to remain at Stamford Bridge.
"Of course, he asked me about Germany," Rudiger told reporters at Wembley Stadium. "It was just a general question from him to know, because he is still young. I can advise him. But at the end of the day he decides about his future.
"He can develop as well here. You can see it from both sides. Of course, he can develop in Germany as well and don't forget Bayern Munich is also a big club. It is something he needs to decide for his future. I wish him all the best, but for me I just wish he stays with us.
"We don't need to speak about him too much. He is good, everyone knows that, everyone can see that. But he is still 18 and at that age you can't look too far ahead. People have to give him time. For me he is an upcoming star, but he still needs to work hard.
"Of course, as a young player it's very important to play. Where it is? I hope it will be here."
Bayern are willing to offer the number 10 shirt to Hudson-Odoi, with Arjen Robben expected to leave the club in the summer, and it places Chelsea at a crossroads moment over whether to keep a youngster who looks keen to leave.
Hudson-Odoi’s outing against Spurs was only his 12th senior professional appearance, making the proposed fee all the more remarkable, but Rudiger believes that his team-mate lives up to the hype, despite his inexperience.
"To be honest, of all the young players I have seen at Chelsea, he is the shooting star for me," Rudiger added. "He has all the tools to become a big player, but he has to work a lot. I think for him everything is going very well at the moment.