Callum Hudson-Odoi has expressed his delight at a spectacular night for the Blues in their emphatic win against PAOK at the Europa League on Thursday.
Hudson-Odoi had a night to remember in the win against the Greek side, where he had recorded a number of firsts in a senior game for Chelsea. Against PAOK, the talented winger who just turned 18 last month completed his first full 90 minutes for the Blues while also recording his first strike ever for the senior side.
Featuring as a lively attacking outlet in the final third, the Chelsea winger was denied by the crossbar in the opening half before finally beginning his account for the senior side with a hard and low strike in the hour mark. He also provided the cross for Alvaro Morata’s goal that rounded up a 4-0 rout of PAOK.
“I got the opportunity to start the game and I thought to myself do you know what, today could be the day,” said the Chelsea academy graduate following the win.
“I thought to myself every time I got the ball to just do what I do normally, keep it simple at times but to just do my normal stuff and as soon as I got the goal I could not believe it, I thought it was a dream!
“As soon as I saw the crowd jumping I realised it was actually a goal, I had actually scored the first goal for my club, especially coming up from the Academy. The assist as well, that just tops off the night. We worked hard and we deserve all the goals that we got.”
Despite Hudson-Odoi impressing against the Greek side, Sarri has reiterated the 18-year-old is still far from being the complete package especially for the Premier League yet Hudson-Odoi has expressed his desire to continue working hard in the training ground in order to gain more first-team opportunities.
“Every opportunity I get I will keep striving and keep working hard, especially in training because that proves everything,” added Hudson-Odoi. “To come onto the pitch for 90 minutes in this game boosted my confidence to get more minutes and hopefully to keep getting more fitness. Keep working hard and hopefully more opportunities will come.”
Finally, the London native, who has been with Chelsea since 2007, has revealed he had found time to celebrate a remarkable night with his closest kin. “With all my family,” he exclaimed. “They have always been there for me from the start and helped me all the way so I will definitely go back and celebrate with them and then go back out [training] tomorrow.”
