'Very good': Chelsea boss wary of £5m Nottingham Forest star as he hails Nuno Espirito Santo
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As Enzo Maresca held court ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest, there was always one player in particular the Chelsea boss was likely to be asked about.
And, sure enough, Maresca was quick to point out that his Chelsea side would have to be at their best defensively to keep a familiar face off the scoresheet.
Callum Hudson-Odoi came back to haunt his old employers last season, after all.
Having been sold by the London giants for a knock-down fee of £5 million just over a year ago, Hudson-Odoi curled home a stunner as Nottingham Forest lost by the odd goal in five against a Mauricio Pochettino-led Chelsea side in May.
The England international has been forced to settle for a supersub role at times recently, however. Nuno Espirito Santo opted to use Elliot Anderson and Nicolas Dominguez as wide midfielders as Nottingham Forest stunned Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield last month.
Chelsea boss wary of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Nottingham Forest
Hudson-Odoi came off the bench that day to score Forest’s first winner away at the six-time European champions since 1969.
Nuno may be tempted to pursue a similar approach against a Chelsea side who often leave themselves vulnerable to quick counter-attacks too.
And while Nuno’s opposite number was keen to point out that Hudson-Odoi is not the only attacking threat at Forest’s disposal, he insists that Chelsea’s attack-minded full-backs must remember to glance over their shoulder as the Cobham graduate threatens to embark on one of his trademark searing runs down the flank.
“I think there are more players and we need to be aware of all of them, not only him,” Maresca said during his Friday press conference. “But, for sure, he is one of the good players they have.
“We are going to try our best not to concede chances, even if we are going to concede chances because it’s normal.”
Enzo Maresca hails Nuno Espirito Santo and Forest squad
Nottingham Forest will travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday having triumphed on their last trip to the blue corner of West London.
Anthony Elanga netted the winner to stun Chelsea in September 2023.
The former Manchester United speedster was utilised as a game-breaker off the bench by Nuno in that Liverpool triumph, and the Forest boss has a decision to make whether to keep both Elanga and Hudson-Odoi in reserve at Chelsea.
The two-time European champions will certainly be boosted by the return of talisman Morgan Gibbs-White. Suspended for last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Fulham, a previously unbeaten Forest side lacked cutting edge without their go-to creator.
Gibbs-White is part of Lee Carsley’s latest England squad, meanwhile, in what should be a another boost to his confidence.
“We need to be aware [of Forest’s quality]. We need to be careful about that,” Maresca adds.
“I think every game, no matter the competition, can be a difficult game. And Nottingham, they have a very good manager. A very good squad. They are doing well, beating Liverpool is not easy especially away.
“So they are doing well, and we are going to try to prepare to be our best.”
Nottingham Forest are currently a top-half team.
A second win away at Chelsea in the space of 13 months, meanwhile, will cut the gap between the two clubs to just one point heading into the October international break.
