Chelsea news: Gianfranco Zola urges Callum Hudson-Odoi to think about his long-term future at the club

Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola has told Callum Hudson-Odoi he is still wanted by the club despite the signing of Christian Pulisic.

The Blues made the Borussia Dortmund star their first purchase of 2019 when they brought him in for £58million.

The 20-year-old will spend the remainder of this season on loan with the Germans, before linking up with Maurizio Sarri’s side ahead of the 2019/20 campaign.

Hudson-Odoi has been the subject of three bids from Bayern Munich, the third a £30million offer, and has yet to agree terms on a new five-year contract due to lack of first team chances, having played just six times this season.

However, assistant manager Zola has reassured the 18-year-old that the arrival of Pulisic should not spell the end of his time at Stamford Bridge.

“No. He has to think long-term. I know it’s very difficult when you are young. You think about what is going to happen tomorrow. But you have to be thinking after,” Zola said.

“We have two players, they are very good players, but both of them are over 30 – Pedro and Willian. We value them, of course, we value them a lot but we know there will be a moment in which probably Callum is going to come and Callum is going to overtake them so it’s important that you think about this.

“You stay here, you have already started a process in which you have to probably wait a little bit but I wouldn’t say even too long. Or the alternative is to go somewhere.”