Chelsea boss won't promise Hudson-Odoi regular game time

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has stated that he has no plans to transfer Callum Hudson-Odoi this year and can't also guarantee his first-team football in the club.

The 18-year-old, who has 18 months left on his contract has been the subject of a £35m bid from Bayern Munich. He has therefore handed in a transfer request after concerns about playing time.

"The club told me he's out of the market in January for sure, and probably he will be out of the market in July," said Sarri.

"On the pitch, he's doing very well. I'm really very happy with him. "I'm not very happy with the situation, but I know very well that every big team here in England has the same problem.

"It's not easy to keep these young players. He is, of course, one of the best 18-year-old players in Europe, so it's very, very difficult," he explained

Hudson-Odoi has not made a Premier League start for Chelsea and has made just three substitute appearances in the top flight this season.

He, however, started in the FA Cup fourth-round win over Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday and scored his second goal for the club in the 3-0 victory.

"It's impossible to promise him that he will play every match because it depends on the situation," added Sarri.

"He's improving. I think he'll be the future of our club and English football."

Chelsea have signed Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain on loan for the rest of the season, and Sarri is hoping for one more arrival before the transfer window closes on Thursday.

The Blues, who are battling for a top-four spot in the league, face Manchester United in the next round of the FA Cup and take on Malmo in the Europa League round of 32 before playing Manchester City in the League Cup final on February 24.