JAMIE CARRAGHER has claimed he loves the courage that Callum Hudson-Odoi has shown by not signing a new Chelsea deal.
But the Liverpool legend believes the contract rebel should stay at Stamford Bridge and use his position as leverage.
Maurizio Sarri has been reluctant to start the 18-year-old this season, with the England international being named in the line-up in the top-fight for the first time against Brighton last week.
And he has been rewarded with another start to face the Hammers as Chelsea look to leapfrog Arsenal into fourth spot.
Hudson-Odoi – who is tied down at the club until 2020 – has been chased by Bayern Munich this season, with the player seeing a move to Bavaria collapse in January.
Speaking on Monday Night Football, Carragher – who praised the teenager’s ‘guts’ – said: “If I was Hudson-Odoi I wouldn’t sign [a new deal].
“He’s in a very strong position. I love the fact he hasn’t signed a contract, not because of the money thing or because of Bayern Munich, but because he wants to play.
“There’s a frustration there. I love the courage he’s shown. He’s willing to say: ‘If I don’t play, I want to go.’
“I wouldn’t be going at the end of the season if I was him. The situation Chelsea are in, I’d use the last year of my contract as leverage.
“I don’t mean that in a disrespectful way, he’d be saying to Chelsea: ‘Prove to me next season how important I am to you by playing me.'”
There’s a frustration there. I love the courage he’s shown.
Jamie Carragher
While Manchester United icon Gary Nevile – who claimed ‘If Bryan Robson told me to sign a contract, I signed’ – believes there would be uproar if Chelsea let Hudson-Odoi leave.
He said: “He’s made a huge impression on me. He’s a huge talent. I think there would be uproar if he was allowed to leave Chelsea Football Club without being given a chance.
“This feels like a crossroads moment for Chelsea in terms of their belief in a young player.
“He can beat a player, go outside, he plays on the left and right, physically he’s got no problems.
“For me it’s about giving him the opportunity, and Chelsea have failed so many times at that over the last five or six years, where players have gone and thrived elsewhere.
“This is the moment for them to believe in their own.”
Olivier Giroud has also urged Sarri to play the exciting winger more, insisting Chelsea are lucky to have him.
Hudson-Odoi has featured 20 times for the West Londoners this season – chipping in with five goals in all competitions.
