Paul Merson has backed Steve Cooper’s Nottingham Forest in their quest to sign Chelsea winger, Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The 22-year-old could be donning Nottingham Forest colours before Friday’s transfer deadline, with Merson stating that he would be a ‘very good signing’.
It was noted that, at Stamford Bridge, it hasn’t worked out for Callum Hudson-Odoi and he has ‘struggled’ playing against teams that sit back against Chelsea.
But Merson thinks that will change at the City Ground because teams will ‘have a go’ at the Midlands club, as he told Soccer Special on Sky Sports (30/08/23 at 7:25 pm).
It seems as though Forest will be losing star man Brennan Johnson, with suggestions that he is heading to Tottenham.
If that’s the case, then they need to bring in a top-quality replacement and Merson thinks that they will get that in Hudson-Odoi.
“It’s a good signing for Forest, a very good signing,” said Merson.
“I watched him at Chelsea, and he struggles a bit, at Chelsea because you kick-off at Stamford Bridge and there is ten behind the ball. There is no space.
“Teams are going to have a go at Nottingham Forest, so they are going to push up. He’s lighting, quick and electric. He takes players on.
“What he will do is get isolated against the fullback. When you are playing at Chelsea or big, big clubs. They get back and double up. Two banks of four. It’s hard for a winger. You don’t get the ball into your feet. There are two players on you. He would be a good signing for Forest. It will be a good move, if he gets the Forest move. For him and Forest.”
Jam-packed at Chelsea
It’s just too overcrowded at Chelsea, so for the best of Hudson-Odoi’s career, he is doing the right thing by moving.
The England international was once seen as one of the best talents at Chelsea, but a serious injury in 2019 has resulted in the progression of the all-action winger slowing down.
And after spending nearly £1bn on players, then it’s going to be even harder for Hudson-Odoi to prove his worth against players the club have spent millions and millions on.
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