Frank Lampard has promised to continue backing Callum Hudson-Odoi as he called on the Chelsea teenager to show the consistency that will allow him to make the most of his considerable talent.

Hudson-Odoi has had a difficult first-half of the season, starting just one match in the last two months, but looked sharp after coming on as a substitute against Arsenal on Sunday.

The 19-year-old signed a new contract in the autumn, finally putting an end to Bayern Munich’s interest, although he has reportedly been affected by criticism on social media in recent weeks, particularly after a poor showing against Southampton on Boxing Day.

“Unfortunately that is something that you have to have a very thick skin about,” said Lampard, whose side take on Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Wednesday. “He is a young player and he has had a lot of talk about him for different reasons which are not all of his doing.

“At 19 there are not too many that are playing in the Premier League every week, especially at a club like ourselves. He does have competition in those areas. His consistency needs to be how he works, how he trains everyday and how much pressure he puts on me to play him and get into the team.