Montenegro 1-5 England - Euro 2020 Group A review

Hudson-Odoi shone - Chelsea's loss is England's gain

Callum Hudson-Odoi’s father, Bismark Odoi, played for Ghanaian club Hearts of Oak as a midfielder. His son gave a performance as sturdy as oak in Montenegro, as he displayed the pace, power, drive and determination to cause the Montenegrins issues.

His position at Chelsea is fairly peculiar. He is a first-team player there, but he hasn’t been active in getting into the Chelsea side for unclear reasons.

Surely now, Chelsea must utilise him fully – and with their impending transfer ban (even though they are currently appealing it) it would make perfect sense for them to use him.

Hudson-Odoi is still young and could develop for England for years to come. He surely now could be a fixture in the UEFA Nations League finals, and Euro 2020. Hudson-Odoi’s Chelsea teammate, Ross Barkley, also did well in this game. And since he joined Chelsea from Everton, he hasn’t hit the heights as much as expected.

But then this will force Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri’s hand, and if their transfer ban still holds, it would give them the capacity to withstand it more ably.

Perhaps Chelsea’s loss here is England’s gain since Southgate can perhaps give them the platform required to reach the levels both are capable of.

Moreover, Chelsea could ultimately lose out, if both perform well for England and not get time at Chelsea. In time, other clubs with more propensity to play youth could acquire them, which Chelsea could rue for years to come.