Callum Hudson-Aodoi: Nottingham Forest Winger On England Ambitions and impressing Tuchel again

Callum Hudson-Aodoi feels he almost returned to the beginning of his career.

The mentality of the wing now, as then, is entering every feeling that it can mark or assist, being part of the conversation around the senior team of England and once again trying to impress Thomas Tuchel.

Now 24, the three -chapter International England has been a fundamental part of a nottingham forest team that maintained their form of Premier League to close the qualification in the Champions League. The forest also faces a trip to Brighton in the quarterfinals of the Fa Cup on Saturday.

Six years ago, Hudson-Aodoi was one of the most exciting perspectives in English football. It was the Golden Boy of Chelsea Academy, with the club that reported offers to sign it in the January 2019 transfer window from Bayern Munich.

He made his debut in England under Gareth Southgate in March, arriving as a substitute in a 5-0 victory on the Czech Republic in a Euro 2020 qualification. He was 18 years old and became the youngest to play for England in a competitive international match, beating the 64-year record of Duncan Edwards.

But in April 2019, he broke his Achille tendon in a match against Burnley. The tendon completely detached from the bone and its seven months out of the game was followed by further setbacks.

“I played a week after week, I received my first call for England and I go out and Boom, everything collapses,” he told BBC Sport. “It was difficult, it was very difficult.

“At the time, I was just thinking that I would have been the same player I was? Will I be able to run or kick a ball again?”

Maurizio Sarri was Chelsea’s manager at the time of the injury, followed by Frank Lampard. But it was Tuchel who gave Hudson-Aodoi his most minutes on the pitch while at Stamford Bridge.

However, it was not all simple. Tuchel, now manager of England, has given him a dose of “hard love”.

In a 1-1 draw with Southampton in February 2021, Hudson-Oodoi arrived in half time, but was therefore replaced 31 minutes later, with the German coach who told journalists that “he was not happy with his attitude, energy and counter-trial”.

“Maybe it’s even unfair, but it was my feeling,” Tuchel said.

“I removed it. We ask 100%. I feel it is not in the right shape to help us.

“He knows what I ask for from him and when he does not reach this level, it’s a difficult decision.”

Fast ahead this season and the form of Hudson-Aodoi for Forest-Five goals and two assists led to the speculation on him who made the first team in England by Tuchel and a return to the national preparation after having made his third and, so far, the last appearance in November 2019 in a 4-0 victory over Kosovo.

He lost the team of 26 men, but speaks before the international break to play under Tuchel, he said: “Sometimes we had our differences and this is normal. Every player and coach has their differences.

“How (when Tuchel made me play wing-back and I’m like why am I here?

“But he was for the benefit of the team and benefits me, helping me to work on my defensive game.

“It is nice that we had that moment and we talked about it. It is an extraordinary manager and knows how to get the best from the players.

“If the possibility and the possibility comes (for England), I will have to go there and test myself.

“I check only what I can control. It is about enjoying football again, smiling and being positive.”

Hudson-Adoi claims to be “more mature” after having lived so much since he made his professional debut at the age of 17.

However, his motivation insists on returning to the level that made him the young man more coveted in the country, comes from the inside.

“I don’t want to prove anything to anyone,” he said. “It is a question of showing myself that I can still be that player I was – to go back to a level in which I knew that I would have marked or assisted – and be so confident in which I know I will have an impact in every game.”

Hudson -adoi also dreams of the success under the director of the forest Nuno Expire Santo.

“This season everything has just changed – from mentality to determination,” he said.

“It’s just a big journey from us and we are trying to push us every day. We know we have the ability to do it.

“We know where we are, but we must continue to dream and believe it as a team.”