How Callum Hudson-Odoi Has Reignited His Career At Nottingham Forest?

Once one of Europe’s most exciting young talents, Callum Hudson-Odoi was pinned as England’s next big thing as a teenager – a Fa Youth Cup top goal-scorer (10), English Youth League winner (U18), and an Under-17 World Cup champion for his country. However, after struggling to get his chance for Chelsea, alongside a series of injuries and disappointing loan spells, Callum Hudson-Odoi's career seemed to have hit an enormous roadblock. Now representing the Garibaldi Red of Nottingham Forest, the 24-year-old is beginning to show the potential many once touted him to have, sparkling on the biggest of stages in the Premier League. But after a quick turnaround in his career, how did Callum Hudson-Odoi rejuvenate his career at Nottingham Forest?

From Young Star To Struggles

Cobham. A world-renowned football academy with a fantastic record of producing talent homegrown talent for Chelsea in players such as Reece James, Fikayo Tomori, and Tammy Abraham in recent years. Callum Hudson-Odoi, at the time, was set to become Chelsea’s next star, continuously wowing on the wing in his youth career due to his exhilarating pace, creative dribbling, and tricky wing play that set him apart at a young age. Following his entertaining and exciting youth career, Hudson-Odoi was handed his senior debut in January 2018, facing Newcastle United in the FA Cup before coming on as a substitute on 31st January in a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth as the Englishman looked set to become the heir to replace Eden Hazard.

2019 would be the year many anticipated for Hudson-Odoi to explode onto the scene, being handed the 20 jersey with the newly-appointed Italian coach Maurizio Sarri giving Hudson-Odoi involvement with the first team. The academy graduate would make his first start in the FA Community Shield in August 2018. But it would not be the ideal season for the youngster, struggling for continuous minutes and handing in a transfer request after the club rejected several bids from Bayern Munich in January. The 2018/19 season would end in nightmare fashion for Hudson-Odoi as the Englishman would be forced off in the first half of a clash against Burnley after rupturing his Achilles tendon.

Callum Hudson-Odoi for Chelsea:

• 38 appearances made
• 20 nineties played
• 6 goals scored
• 9 goals assisted

And he's only just turned 19 years old. pic.twitter.com/CvOMngYhAu

— SCOUTED (@scoutedftbl) November 8, 2019

The seasons of 2019/20 and 2020/21 would be a similar story for Hudson-Odoi – Bayern Munich continuing to chase his services, while Chelsea would utilise him as a squad player. Hudson-Odoi may have been awarded winning medals in the Champions League, Club World Cup, and Super Cup, but the Englishman had not lived up to his early potential. August 22 would be time for a change and a new experience, the winger finally moving to Germany but this time to join Bayer Leverkusen on a season-long loan. But it would not work out for the 24-year-old, scoring zero goals and recording just one assist in 14 Bundesliga appearances as Hudson-Odoi wondered what to do next in his declining career.

Consistent Run In The Team

The City Ground would be next for Hudson-Odoi, the winger now seen as surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, but Nottingham Forest were able to negotiate a spectacular deal for the club. Singing a three-year contract, Hudson-Odoi joined Forest for a reported transfer fee of around £3m with £2m in add-ons, and ever since joining the Reds, the former Chelsea man has not looked back.

Instantly, Hudson-Odoi became a key player for Forest, making 34 appearances in his debut season – scoring eight goals and assisting two. Hudson-Odoi was playing with a chip on his shoulder, proving wrong his critics to rejuvenate his once star-studded career and the future looked bright for the winger. In his second season at the club, Hudson-Odoi continued to flourish at his new home, making 28 appearances this season, as of March, with the Englishman scoring five goals and assisting two as he continues to improve.

Callum Hudson-Odoi is bang in form for Forest! 🔥

He's scored in 3️⃣ of his last 4️⃣ Premier League starts 👏 pic.twitter.com/WPce26nH3w

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 8, 2025

Nuno’s Counter Attacking System

Forest have been the surprise package in this Premier League season - sitting third place, and in the race for a Champions League spot. Masterminded by Nuno Espirito, the Red's game plan heavily relies upon a direct approach – transitioning play from defence to attack as quickly as possible in a counter-attacking system. For a player like Hudson-Odoi, this system greatly benefits him – an emphasis on pace in behind, direct wingman, and creative frontmen.

However, Hudson-Odoi cannot do it all alone, with Forest having one of England’s most threatening attacks. At the top of the tree sits top-scorer and veteran striker Chris Wood – the 33-year-old having the season of his life, hitting the net 18 times in the Premier League. Sat behind Wood is the creative mastermind that is Morgan Gibbs-White, a 25-year-old attacking midfield who has gone from strength to strength at the City Ground, scoring five goals and assisting seven in the league this season. Finally, to complete the quartet is Hudson-Odoi’s opposite wide-man Anthony Elanga, a Manchester United academy graduate, who plays with immense pace and threat on Forest’s wing, scoring five goals and assisting two this season.

Creative Success

Along with goals and a system that perfectly fits Hudson-Odoi, the winger’s raw ability to create and dazzle also makes him a top player in the English top-flight. In his academy days at Chelsea, the Englishman quickly gained a reputation for his incredible dribbling and finally, at Nottingham Forest, the 24-year-old is showcasing his talent, being successful in 66.7% of his dribbles. But most impressively, Hudson-Odoi has scored three league goals this season following a dribble – only Bryan Mbeumo, Erling Haaland and Alexander Iwobi have scored more. To become a top winger, you need to get yourself in the correct position and then turn those opportunities into chances. Compared to other attacking midfielders and wingers, Hudson-Odoi sits above 70% for chances created, with the Forest man averaging 1.83 chances-created, per 90. The Englishman seems to be playing with an increased level of confidence, and the 24-year-old’s maturity has been a huge factor in his rejuvenation.

Callum Hudson-Odoi is finding his best form at Nottingham Forest! 🌳#NFFC #NFOMCI pic.twitter.com/clyNREKehy

— DR Sports (@drsportsmedia) March 8, 2025

England Call-Up On The Horizon?

March marks a break in the Premier League season and the first international break since November. However, it also marks the first international camp for new England manager Thomas Tuchel. In his first squad selection, the German made some big calls – calling Dan Burn, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Jordan Henderson into his England squad. On the other hand, Hudson-Odoi was an option for the German – the winger having played under him at Chelsea. At the time England’s youngest player to represent in a competitive international, Hudson-Odoi has represented his country three times as a senior, having represented England at Under 16, 17, 18, 19, and 21s level. With two goals scored in his last five games - Hudson-Odoi was in good stead for an inclusion but wingers such as Jarrod Bowen, Marcus Rashford, Phil Foden, and Anthony Gordon were preferred. Nevertheless, as wingers come in and out of form if Hudson-Odoi can continue his form into next season and stay as a key part of the Forest core – an England call-up may be right around the corner.