Winger Callum Hudson-Odoi deserves a place in the Chelsea starting XI, says former striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
Hudson-Odoi, 18, has won his first two England caps in the past week, but has never started a Premier League game.
"It might be that he lifts the team in a different way and gives them a different dimension," said Hasselbaink.
"Chelsea should bring more youngsters through. I would say Hudson-Odoi deserves a chance."
Hudson-Odoi, who came through the youth ranks at Stamford Bridge, made his first-team debut as a 17-year-old in January 2018, one of four appearances as a substitute last season.
He has played 19 games in all competitions this term, all of which have been off the bench.
Hasselbaink said: "Even if we are the number one, we all need sometimes to feel that there is another player or a younger player who can take our spot.
"You have to say yes, he should be given a chance, because the others in his position are not really playing well at this moment.
"The only one that is really producing his best - a seven or eight or sometimes a nine - is (Eden) Hazard."
Hudson-Odoi, who came close to joining Bayern Munich in January, became the youngest player to play a competitive game for England when he made his debut as a substitute in the 5-0 Euro 2020 qualifying win over the Czech Republic on Friday.
He played the full 90 minutes of the 5-1 victory over Montenegro on Monday.
Chelsea are sixth in the Premier League in Maurizio Sarri's first season as manager.
Hasselbaink, who scored 88 goals in four seasons for Chelsea from 2000 to 2004, said he has sympathy for the Italian.
"It's easy to say things and criticise, but let's not forget what he has inherited and how the team was playing before he got there," said former Netherlands international Hasselbaink.
"He changed the style totally and that's going to take time.
"Consistency-wise, he will be a little bit disappointed. They should be better.
"But it's his first season in England and he is learning. He has brought a lot of positive things to Chelsea. Let's not forget that."
ribeloprz
0
Dream Formation 😥😥😥
[image]
And after season pulisic for pedro
Rucknpty
2
Thank you Hasselbaink....Agree 100%
midestivah
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all the 19 games not off the bench, he start 9 of them or 10
wezdeiprs
3
Dream Formation 😥😥😥
Piulmpt
1
M Sarri should give enough chances to the boy to improve himself. That boy could be potential player for Chelsea, all he needs is just opportunities. That's how other teams raised the youngsters and now they're world class superstar...I mean, just look at Messi in Barca and other more, like C. Ronaldo and co
Lanbdz
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Him and RLC and possibly Barkley are direct playing players who take on defenders head on and often cause mistakes being made by the opposing players thus creating chances for the team. These three need more game time than those who often play in those positions. But does the stubborn one see things that way or he has optical illusions,l am not sure.
farzycarter
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Sopaid01
1
Yes this young man deserves much time at Chelsea