Chelsea PL2: Callum Hudson-Odoi gave Liverpool the Eden Hazard treatment

Callum Hudson-Odoi added his name to the list of Goal of the Season contenders against Liverpool in the PL2. His brazen run through four defenders evoked Eden Hazard’s February goal against Arsenal.

Callum Hudson-Odoi is outperforming his age group, as the 17-year old is a regular in Chelsea’s PL2 squad this season. His goal against Liverpool showed that the higher level of competition has not blunted his confidence nor his abilities.

Ruben Sammut started the play by tackling the ball away from the Reds, and spotting Hudson-Odoi starting his run. Sammut’s pass reached Hudson-Odoi perfectly, with the winger not having to break stride to take the ball into a block of four Liverpool defenders. Hudson-Odoi maneuvered through them, keeping completely control of the ball. Liverpool’s on-rushing goalkeeper forced Hudson-Odoi wide, where he shot a sharp-angle shot over the last diving Liverpool defender.

The goal was Hudson-Odoi’s third of the PL2 season, his earlier goals coming against Tottenham and Manchester United. He has gone the full 90 minutes in five of his seven PL2 games this season, while not making any appearances in Chelsea’s U18 Premier League side. He also has a goal and an assist in three UEFA Youth League appearances.

Hudson-Odoi’s early promotion to the PL2 and his showing on Saturday figure well for his future. If he maintains his place in the PL2 this season he could be in line for his first loan in 2018/19. The pace, confidence and finishing ability he showed against Liverpool could put him in line for a loan to La Liga, Bundesliga or Eredivise, sparing him the uselessness of a lower-level domestic loan.

Mason Mount was a finalist for last season’s PL2 Player of the Year award, having turned 18 midway through the season. He is now working his way up Vitesse’s squad, with two goals and one assist in eight appearances.

Chelsea have done a better job this season of placing young players in higher tier loans. They still have the usual mass of youngsters across the Football League, but the top prospects are in the Premier League or Eredivisie. The Blues are willing to sacrifice their run of youth football trophies to accelerate players’ development to the first team, even if those first teams are not at Stamford Bridge.

Next: Chelsea could reel Manchester City in during upcoming run of games

If Callum Hudson-Odoi were to win Chelsea’s Goal of the Year award, he would be the first youth player to do so since Lewis Baker in 2014.