Cesc Fabregas once claimed he knew one player was a special talent the first time he trained with him at Chelsea.
The Blues have been blessed with some extraordinary midfielders over the years, including Spanish playmaker Cesc Fabregas between 2014 and 2019.
Fabregas, who’s now the Como manager, had a memorable playing career, particularly with Chelsea, Barcelona and Arsenal. He won five trophies at Stamford Bridge, featuring two Premier League titles.
It is fantastic to see that Fabregas has been nominated for the Premier League’s Hall of Fame, along with Eden Hazard, for fantastic achievements in English football.
Cesc Fabregas kicks the ball during a Chelsea training session.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Cesc Fabregas admitted he knew Callum Hudson-Odoi was different
Fabregas played alongside some big hitters inside the Blues dressing room during a successful period. He also helped to mentor the young talent that was coming out of Cobham, too.
Back in 2020, Fabregas recalled on X how special Callum Hudson-Odoi was when he stepped up from the Chelsea academy to the first team.
Hudson-Odoi certainly left a major impression on Fabregas in training, and there was a lot of excitement around him in the media at the time. Unfortunately, he suffered a serious Achilles injury to halt his momentum after breaking into the Blues first team.
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Even though Hudson-Odoi played 126 first-team games in Chelsea colours, he was eventually sold to Nottingham Forest in 2023 for just £5m (The Guardian).
Appearances Goals Assists Trophies
126 16 22 5
Callum Hudson-Odoi’s record in the Chelsea first team
At the time, Ian Wright was stunned Chelsea sold Hudson-Odoi so cheaply because the academy graduate has always had such incredible potential.
Now aged 24, the left-winger has been decent value for money from a Forest perspective at the City Ground. He’s scored 14 goals in 80 Forest appearances across all competitions.
Hudson-Odoi still has time to kick on another level and become a top Premier League winger.
Cesc Fabregas, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Olivier Giroud during a Chelsea training session.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea’s current wingers
Even though supporters will always have a soft spot for Hudson-Odoi because of his Chelsea roots, the current squad is stacked with options in wide areas.
The Blues have the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Estevao Willian, Pedro Neto, Jamie Gittens and Tyrique George vying for the starting positions on the wing. It is worth adding that Cole Palmer can be a great option from the right, too.
Based on his upward trajectory, Estevao could soon make himself a non-negotiable pick in the starting line-up.