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Zola hopes fans' power can help Chelsea retain Hudson-Odoi
Chelsea deputy director Gianfranco Zola hopes Callum Hudson-Odoi will listen to fans singing his name and stay at Stamford Bridge after the transfer deadline on Thursday.
Hudson-Odoi scored in what could be his last appearance at Chelsea and Willian scored two goals as FA Cup holders went on to win a 3-0 fourth-round tie against the Sheffield Championship Wednesday.
The 18-year-old winger, under contract until June 2020, started despite the presentation of a transfer request before the closure on Thursday of the winter transfer counter, Bayern Munich having publicly declared his interest.
Blues fans sang "We want you to stay" after Hudson-Odoi's strike in the 64th minute and when Maurizio Sarri, Zola and others expressed the same wish.
"We want it to stay, too, we're singing too," Zola said.
"He has a contract We believe in what he can do for this team I do not think there are many 18 year old players in Europe who play as much as him in a big team.
"If you look at Juventus, all the big teams, they do not have a lot of 18-year-old players playing like us, that shows that we believe in him, we think he can be an important player for us, then we will see what happens.
"We can do everything we can from our point of view, he has a lot of strong players next to him, but we still have room for him to play."
Until Hudson-Odoi scored, an official seated at 14 km from Stockley Park had been the most influential person in the contest, even as Gonzalo Higuain made his debut at Chelsea.
When Joey Pelupessy attempted to take Steven Fletcher's pbad, Ethan Ampadu won the ball before being beaten by Wednesday's midfielder. The award of a penalty by referee Andre Marriner was quickly canceled by the VAR.
The game resumed with a ball drop, according to the rules, which Wednesday did not dispute. Soon, they had conceded a kick.
Sam Hutchinson, a graduate of the Blues Academy, followed Cesar Azpilicueta. Mariner's decision was reviewed, but there was no doubt.
Willian appeared to offer the free-kick to Higuain, who refused, before the Brazilian goalkeeper sent goalkeeper Keiren Westwood the wrong way for his 50th goal from Chelsea.
Steve Agnew, Owls's acting boss, said, "With VAR, it was obviously the right decision, but I thought we should have taken a turn, which seemed like a strange decision, but we're all one. a little wiser now.
"We are obviously disappointed but the players have given everything in terms of effort and organization."
The hosts celebrated in front of the Shed End, filled with visiting spectators, some of whom protested, with missiles thrown.
Hudson-Odoi beat Westwood to his next position to end the match and Willian added a third late goal as the Blues moved up to fifth.
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