OPINION
Manuel Pellegrini must cover the ears of his West Ham players to stop them hearing Stephen Warnock gushing remarks about Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi as it may leave them worried about facing him.
The pundit shared he thought the 18-year-old would feature against the Hammers as he warrants keeping his place in the Blues’ team and then proceeded to drool about his ability.
Warnock pointed out that Hudson Odoi was the type of player that struck fear into his opponents as he was comfortable on either foot and due to the fact he was dynamic from a standing start.
“I think he does (whether Hudson-Odoi has stay in the team) I don’t think he has to play every single game but you have to give him opportunities now,” said Warnock on Football Centre (Sky Sports News, Friday April 5th, 10:33am).
“I mean the Cardiff game was screaming out for him to come off the bench and play a part in the game, and to not even get on the pitch would have been disappointing.
“I just think he needs to be playing, he’s so exciting, I was fortunate enough to be at St George’s Park when he was training and I watched him firsthand, and I’m glad I’m retired put it that way.
“He can go both ways, comfortable on either foot, he is just one of them players he puts the fear into you as he’s so dynamic from a standing start and very difficult to play against.”
The fact Warnock raves about Hudson-Odoi being so difficult to play against that he ends up admitting he’s happy that he’s retired, it’s not going to make anyone confident at the Hammers about facing him.
Several Hammers players, including members of the team’s defence, have been looking void of confidence lately and the idea of facing a player who Warnock seems to imply borders on unstoppable, isn’t going to put them in the right mindset to face the Blues.
Hudson-Odoi wowed against Brighton in midweek and is no doubting chomping at the bit to prove himself against the Hammers if unleashed on Monday night.
The Hammers’ squad are no doubt aware of the 18-year-old’s talents yet given the level of praise Warnock heaps on Hudson-Odoi, even they may be thinking he’s better than they previously thought.
