Hudson-Odoi has potential to be a great player - Maurizio Sarri claims

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has heaped praises on English born Ghanaian youngster Calum Hudson-Odoi, claiming the 18-year-old has the potential of becoming great at the club.

The 18-year-old, who contract expires in 18 months has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich and other top sides in Europe.

But the German champions have had an offer of more than £20m rejected for Hudson-Odoi, with the club telling Bayern they value the England Under-19 international at closer to £40m.

"He [Hudson-Odoi] is a very good player, the potential is there for becoming a great player, and now he has to improve," Sarri said ahead of Chelsea's clash with Southampton on Wednesday.

"He has to improve, I think, in movement without the ball. As a winger, he has to improve in the defensive phase, but he has the potential to become a very important player, not only for English football I think but for European football."

Hudson-Odoi made his first Premier League appearance of the season as a substitute at Watford on Boxing Day, only to suffer a hamstring injury.

He has made five Europa League appearances, scoring one goal so far.