Under-fire Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has revealed team balance was the reason he left wantaway winger Callum Hudson-Odoi out of the squad to face Bournemouth.
Sarri's side were thumped 4-0 by the Cherries at the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday, with Hudson-Odoi's conspicuous absence from the team list noted.
The 18-year old attacker had a transfer request to join Bayern Munich rejected by the Blues on Monday - less than 24 hours after the second goal in Chelsea's 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup.
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Initial reports suggested Sarri had omitted Hudson-Odoi from the matchday squad as punishment for wanting to leave the club, however the Italian coach said the talented teenager was left out to maintain balance.