Antonio Rudiger believes it would be a “pity” if Callum Hudson-Odoi leaves Chelsea and has called on the Blues to make the 18-year-old winger stay and sign a new contract.
Hudson-Odoi has submitted a transfer request after public declarations of interest from Bayern Munich, which have been branded unprofessional by Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri.
Sarri started Hudson-Odoi, who has played for Chelsea since the under-eights and is under contract until June 2020, for a sixth time this season in Sunday’s 3-0 FA Cup fourth-round win over Sheffield Wednesday.
The Blues boss was rewarded as Hudson-Odoi netted his second goal for the club, after which some fans sang “we want you to stay”.
Rudiger said: “What I can say is clear, Chelsea have to make him stay. It will be a pity if this young talent leaves us.
“Chelsea need to give him a new contract.”
Rudiger admitted earlier in January that Hudson-Odoi had asked him about life in Germany.
The Germany international, who joined Chelsea from Roma in July 2017 and began his career at Stuttgart, added: “He just asked me about normal things. At the end of the day, he decides about his future.
“He’s a quality player. You can see how he dribbles, how he goes one against one, he can be good for us.”
Hudson-Odoi has been repeatedly linked with a move to Bayern, who have reportedly tabled a bid of £35million, while there has been speculation Chelsea are prepared to match the Bundesliga champions’ financial offer.
Sarri’s decision to play Hudson-Odoi on Sunday may be an indication that Chelsea will not be prepared to allow him to leave.
However, the game time may have come too late in Hudson-Odoi’s eyes.
Hudson-Odoi six starts have come in cup competitions and the Europa League. He has a total of five substitute appearances for the Blues this season and two goals.
He is yet to start in the Premier League; three substitute appearances are the sum total of his appearances in the top flight and the first of those came at Watford on Boxing Day.
Chelsea play at Bournemouth in the Premier League on Wednesday, with the transfer window closing a day later.
It remains to be seen if Hudson-Odoi will still be a Chelsea player by the time the Blues face Huddersfield in the Premier League on Saturday.