Former Chelsea star Joe Cole believes manager Thomas Tuchel has taken a huge gamble with his treatment of Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Tuchel only subbed on his winger at half-time of the 1-1 draw at St.Mary's, but hauled him back off again just 31 minutes later.

Questioned after the match on his rationale for withdrawing the 20-year-old, Tuchel said: "I was not happy with the attitude and energy.

"We demand a lot and 100 per cent. I felt he was not right in the shape and he could not help us."

Cole reacted, saying: "It's a very strong way to go and his first spiky moment. We knew from his reputation he is strong he will make decisions and that's bold,.

"Callum wasn't having a great game when he came on but you're a moments player when you're in that position. Callum can give you a moment of magic, you know that.

"But for him to say he wasn't happy with his energy, that's a bold move from Tuchel and it's a gamble, because notoriously the Chelsea dressing room can be fragmented over the last 10 years with the amount of changes they've had."

Hudson-Odoi looked angry as he left the field and kicked a water bottle as he walked up the steps to take his place in the stands.

"I just question whether it was unnecessary at the time to upset a player that maybe is going to play for you Tuesday night," Cole said.

"Maybe it was managerial genius. Maybe Callum starts on Tuesday night and he gives us the performance of his life, but he's a fantastic young player that will be fuming at that today.

"Tuchel's took that decision and it might be a message to his team but it's brave as Callum is not going to be happy with that."