West Ham United and one player in particular have just been delivered some bad news by Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri.
The Hammers travel to Stamford Bridge on Monday night knowing defeat all but ends their chances of finishing seventh.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side have been chasing the ‘best of the rest’ spot and a potential place in Europe.
A dismal defeat to Everton at the weekend was followed by victories for both Wolves and Watford on Tuesday night.
That means West Ham must overturn a six-point deficit – given their inferior goal difference – with just six games remaining.
Chelsea meanwhile are chasing a Champions League spot.
Oh boy it’s Hudson-Odoi
Much of the focus at Stamford Bridge this season has been over the future of new England star Callum Hudson-Odoi.
A lot has been made of the fact Hudson-Odoi made his senior England debut before starting a Premier League match.
Sarri has come under increasing pressure to hand the winger that maiden start.
And in a rather ominous admission, the Italian has told The Evening Standard he will hand him the 18-year-old his full debut against either Brighton or West Ham.
“I know very well Callum, and I want him to improve more because the potential is higher,” Sarri told The Evening Standard.
‘He is ready’
“And Callum is always in my mind. In my opinion, he is our future. Now he’s ready to play.
“Probably he will start tomorrow or in the next match against West Ham.”
As any Hammers supporter will testify their club has a reputation as the gift that keeps on giving for other teams.
Haven’t won for a record number of games? Striker hasn’t scored all season? West Ham usually oblige.
Such has been the intense media focus on Hudson-Odoi’s playing his first game, there is an air of inevitability about the prospect of him making his bow against the Hammers.
Good luck Zaba
It is bad news for one player in particular, 34-year-old Pablo Zabaleta.
The Argentine has started to look his age as the season has progressed.
He and Aaron Cresswell were torn apart in the defeat to Everton, which could and should have been by many more than the final 2-0 scoreline.
With Ryan Fredericks injured Zabaleta will be required to play at Stamford Bridge.
And Sarri will surely target the veteran’s distinct lack of pace by putting Hudson-Odoi up against him.
If Zaba wants to avoid sleepless nights before then it is probably best he doesn’t watch this video of the player in fine form scoring the stunning winner during a Chelsea training match.
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