Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has told critics to take it easy on youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi.

The 18-year-old failed to impress in his first Champions League start against Ajax on Wednesday night.

Speaking after the game, Azpilicueta said of his young teammate: "We can't forget that Callum is 18 years old and his progression in the last 12-15 months, with an injury in between... we have to be realistic.

"The way he worked for the team, the way he always showed the ability to get the ball, to dribble, not to have any fear and hide in-between the full-back, I think Callum is a very important player for us.

"He's going to be a massive player in the future for Chelsea but we have to accept the progression. To be 18 years old and the way he's playing is amazing. The players who have more experience in these games try to help the young lads.

"For some of them it's the first year in the Premier League, the first year in the Champions League, so we have to be a help for all of them, use our experience to keep them confident and make them express themselves the way they have been doing in the academy.

"It is very important for them to feel confident. It is the way we are working but a lot of credit goes to them because they are good lads, they listen, they want to improve in every training session and learn from the more experienced players, the manager and the staff. It is the right way to keep improving."