Callum Hudson-Odoi has suggested that he led the decision to leave Chelsea for Nottingham Forest this summer.
During the closing days of the most recent transfer window, the winger completed a permanent switch from Stamford Bridge to the City Ground.
The deal marked the end of Hudson-Odoi's 16-year association with Chelsea, coming through the academy setup to make 126 appearances in the first team.
At one stage, the three-cap England international was relied upon by Thomas Tuchel, but an injury during the closing months of 2021-22 effectively ended the player's time at Stamford Bridge.
Hudson-Odoi's season-long loan switch to Bayer Leverkusen for the following campaign failed to be as productive as everyone involved had anticipated, leaving the attacker with uncertainty over his next move.
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Throughout the summer, the perception has been that Chelsea were behind the decision to direct Hudson-Odoi towards the exit door, a consequence of him having less than a year remaining on his contract.
Co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital would not have wanted to risk losing an academy graduate on a free transfer in 2024 given the benefits that a sale would have for the club's FFP position.
However, in an interview with The Telegraph, Hudson-Odoi has suggested that he pushed to leave his boyhood club, aware that his opportunities for game time were likely limited.
The 22-year-old said: "Chelsea has been my home for a very long time and knowing it was time to go was emotional.
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"It was difficult, we had conversations but I thought it was best if I leave. It was a mutual agreement, but I'd say it was more my decision.
"Forest is the right place for me to excel in my football, and do more than I probably could at Chelsea. I want to be playing as much as possible."
Theoretically, Hudson-Odoi is in contention to make his Forest debut when the East Midlands outfit host Burnley in the Premier League on Monday night.
Instead, he will be only considered for a spot on the substitutes' bench at best having barely received any game time during pre-season and being used for 62 minutes against Harrogate Town in the EFL Trophy on September 5.
Darren Plant
