Photo: Reuters

A number of Chelsea senior players missed out on Chelsea’s pre-season football due to their World Cup engagement, as they were given extended leave to rest and recuperate ahead of the new season.

Chelsea youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi has benefitted from the absence of our senior players, and the teenager has been our best player in pre-season so far.

The 17-year-old tormented Hector Bellerin in our pre-season game against Arsenal on Wednesday.

Speaking after the Gunners game, Maurizio Sarri hinted that Hudson-Odoi could start for Chelsea in the Community Shield against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

Sarri admitted that his team to play City this weekend will be similar to the XI which started versus Arsenal on Wednesday evening.

“The starting XI today is very near to the starting XI in the Community Shield,” he said.