Teenager Callum Hudson-Odoi was used sparingly by Maurizio Sarri last season

England forward started just four Premier League matches in 2018-19

But new boss Frank Lampard is likely to pick Hudson-Odoi more frequently

Former Blues keeper Rob Green says players questioned Sarri's decision

They were applauding tricks Hudson-Odoi performed in training

Chelsea's stars were left questioning why Callum Hudson-Odoi wasn't in their team last season, according to former goalkeeper Rob Green.

Despite consistent excellence in training, the 18-year-old England winger was used sparingly by coach Maurizio Sarri, starting just four Premier League matches.

ADVERTISEMENT

But Hudson-Odoi looks likely to play regularly for Chelsea under Frank Lampard, who has placed his faith in academy graduates following a transfer ban.

Callum Hudson-Odoi in action during Chelsea's win over Southampton on Sunday afternoon

Former Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri used Hudson-Odoi sparingly during last season

Click here to resize this module

Hudson-Odoi was again excellent in Chelsea's 4-1 win at Southampton on Sunday but this comes as no surprise to Green, who spent last season at Stamford Bridge.

'We were in the dressing room last season and the players were saying "how is he not playing?",' Green told BBC Radio 5 Live.

'He was going out in training and tearing some of the best defenders in the world apart. He was consistently the best in training.

'It was to the point where some of the best players in the world were standing there applauding what he was doing.'

Show Player

Sarri did play Hudson-Odoi in various cup matches but the youngster is set to feature regularly under Lampard now he has returned from an Achilles tendon rupture.

Ex-Chelsea keeper Rob Green said players were asking why Sarri wasn't picking Hudson-Odoi

And Green believes the player's natural confidence will enable him to thrive in the game at the highest level.

He said: 'He has got such a brilliant mind and he is so confident. When he goes out there he will try things and he will try it on the biggest stage.

'He will do something and you will ask him: 'When have you done that? Why did you do that?'

'He would say "because I've never done it before and I thought I'd try it".

Hudson-Odoi looks set to enjoy much more game time this season under Frank Lampard

'You knew from the way he spoke and the way he is around the lads, the way he holds himself and obviously his ability, he is going to be at Chelsea for as long as he wants to be and then, maybe, on to greater things.'

ADVERTISEMENT

Hudson-Odoi was selected for the England Under-21 squad for the latest round of international fixtures as opposed to Gareth Southgate's senior squad.