Exclusive: Carm Hudson Odoi, Ola Aina “Bromance” on the departure of Nuno Espirito Santo, Modern Winger

This was the eventful start to Callum Hudson-Odoi’s 2025/26 campaign.

Hudson Odoi’s equalizer at Selhurst Park was Forest’s final goal of Nuno era, and the player is grateful for sharing so many good memories with his former boss.

“He helped us return to Europe, which was a huge achievement for us,” he told TNT Sports in an exclusive interview. “He did a great job here, he is a great guy, a great character, a great person to work with, and we made lots of memories together.

“He’s had a huge impact on the club. I only want him the best in the future.”

Despite leading the Spurs to the glory of the UEFA Europa League last season, the Australian was released from his duties in North London, but Hudson Odoy looks forward to playing for a charismatic coach.

“I’m very excited,” he explained. “We’ve seen how his Tottenham team played in the previous season when he was playing exciting football, so we’re excited to work with him.

“We can’t wait to start on Saturday. We’re all excited because we need to continue improving our training every day.”

After 15 years at Chelsea, Hudson Odoy has found a second home in Forest, and when explaining his decision to extend his stay at the club, he feels he has been unable to stop smiling.

“It’s like a family here and you can call this place a home,” he said. “After a few years here, I’m very calm. It’s a good community, the fans are great here, and the atmosphere is great.

“I enjoy it. The people around me enjoy me and make me feel comfortable where I am and how I play. I feel like I’m playing the best football and doing the right thing.

“It was an easy decision (to sign a new deal), I keep improving every day and hope everyone is proud.”

There is one player who has particularly developed a close bond with Hudson Odoi – Ora Aina.

Supporters also got a glimpse into their close relationship with TNT Sports when both men were talking after Forest’s victory over Manchester City in March after the Hudson Odoi winner.

“I’ve known him for years since I was together at Chelsea,” Hudson Odoy said. “Our energy is just in line with us. We are both such lively characters and we just wanted to bring a good atmosphere and energy away from the training pitch and football.

“It’s all about us that we continue to have a good time and enjoy our lives. Our atmosphere is always trying to be happy for everyone, making sure everyone is on and off the pitch.

“I think that’s how both of us match. We have a good bromance and it’s a good vibe so maybe that’s going to last.”

It’s exciting to see the club invest in new recruits, but their arrival can sometimes reduce game time for existing play staff, but Hudson Odoi enjoys training competition and Forest believes he needs to deal with playing UEFA Europa League football this season.

He explained:

“Or you can see it as a negative thing that they think is trying to replace me. For yourself, you should always be confident in yourself and all the deals of the club.

“There’s a lot of games coming for us this season, so it’s good that everyone gets a few minutes.”

With more players fighting for the location, supporters and critics calculate numbers and statistics to debate who deserves a normal starting spot. However, Hudson-Odo is not a fan of judging players’ performances based solely on statistics.

“I don’t think it’s just statistics,” he said. “Of course, as an attacker, you want to score goals and get assists, but there are other ways you can help your team.

“The purpose of soccer is to score goals to win your game. But sometimes, they have had a great game, even though someone may not contribute to the goal or assist.

“People may think about what’s going on with players unless they achieve their goals or support a few games, but it’s important to do their best to get results.”

It’s amazing to think that Hudson Odoi is only 24 years old when considering his success he enjoyed during his time at Stamford Bridge, which was involved in the winning teams in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League.

He has seen how the role of Winger has evolved since entering the professional scene in 2018. The former Chelsea man thinks there is still room for improvement in his game.

“There have been a lot of changes to how modern wingers have to work, and the key now is supposed to be effective,” he said.

“You need to be effective in both boxes and make sure you are working on both ends to get the most out of our capabilities.

“I’m a much more mature player who understands the game a little more. As I get older, I understand the role you’re playing and how you need to gain a certain position in terms of contributing in turns, driving on the ball, goals and improving defensive work.

“No one is perfect so I can keep improving at any time, and at the end of the day, that’s what I want to do. I want to continue to support my team as best as possible to get the best results for the club.”

Looking back at the winger who inspired him, Hudson Odoi quotes Brazilian and Barcelona icons Ronaldinho, Neymar, Frank Ribery and Argen Robben. But he also pays close attention to modern wingers who continue to thrive in their position.

“There are a lot of amazing wingers these days who find things like (Ramin) Yamal doing very well,” he said.

“(Jeremy) Doc is a very explosive player on the ball, but (Bukayo) Saka is very effective in front of the goal and contributes to the goal and assist. I think these guys are fine and they need to do the same.”

These three players are also given the opportunity to show off their skills on the international stage, and is Hudson Odoi looking to fly at the World Cup next year?

“The more you prove yourself on the pitch of club football, the more international calls will come, whether it’s in the UK or Ghana,” he replied.

“The better you do on the pitch, the more opportunities you have and you need to prove it to yourself. You need to show yourself why you deserve the opportunity to play in the World Cup one day or another international competition.”

The international break was a source of dissatisfaction for the winger, as it failed to fix Forest’s 3-0 defeat to West Ham last month.

“After the West Ham game, I was very angry,” he said. “We wanted to play Arsenal the next day, because that was when we lost.

“After the defeat, I’m just mad and thinking about how hell happened. I just want to change the outcome the following week so I have to wait a few weeks to go back and play another game, but that happens.”

Forest was unable to win at Arsenal during his Premier League days, but he had a similar record heading into last season’s game at Anfield.

Hudson Odoy is sure that Forest can score a victory goal against Liverpool and break that unwanted record and take all three points on Saturday.

“We’re sure we’ll be in every game we can win, no matter who’s playing,” he said.

“We’re not heading towards a game that no one is afraid of, but we go there with the winning mentality. That’s the only way you can succeed, especially in football. We believe in ourselves and we’re preparing for the game.

When asked about his own personal record of the gunner, Hudson Odoy recalls that he contributed several assists but was unable to find the back of the net.

Is he confident in breaking ducks this weekend?

“Now I need to do that,” he said. “It needs to happen sooner than later.”