Former England boss Glenn Hoddle believes Chelsea must consider loaning Callum Hudson-Odoi after the club's summer spending spree.
Hudson-Odoi's time has been limited following the arrivals of Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz this summer.
Hoddle, who on media duties saw Hudson-Odoi in action for England U21's victory over Andorra last week, has concerns that the bit-part role the winger is currently experiencing with Chelsea will eventually have a knock-on his confidence.
Speaking on his podcast, 'The Glenn Hoddle Footy Show', Hoddle explained: "It's a shame a couple of fantastic foreign players have arrived at Stamford Bridge and that's obviously knocked him down the pecking order. From what I've seen, when he's coming on from the bench or playing for the (England) U21s, he still has his confidence at the moment. But obviously, if this continues, where he's not going to get many starts, this is going to be a problem for him mentally.
"So I'm hoping he gets enough football to get him back to his very, very best. He's over his injury now, which was a difficult one with his Achilles, but he's over that now and 100 per cent fit."
Hoddle, who was in charge of Chelsea for three years, can understand Chelsea being reluctant to loan out Hudson-Odoi ahead of the January market, though believes it could be the best option for the player's development.
He continued: "You wouldn't think Chelsea would want to loan him out, but he's not playing. He needs to get some football, these few years are so important for him, he needs to get some football to come on - and he can only do that by being on the pitch."
The former England coach added: "The ages of 19 to 21, 22 are so important. They learn so much so quickly during that time. If players aren't playing regularly at that age, it won't set them backwards, but they do tend to drift. You need to be pushed. You need to be playing in big matches with big players around you and that makes you a better player."
This season, Hudson-Odoi has managed five Premier League appearances so far, starting just the once. Overall, the winger has played ten times, scoring twice.
He was linked to Bayern Munich summer.