Lineker: Credit to Nuno as Callum shines for Reds
BOSS IS PRAISED FOR HELPING HUDSON-ODOI MAKE HIS MARK
GARY Lineker has praised Nuno Espirito Santo’s role in bringing the best out of Callum Hudsonodoi at Nottingham Forest.
Two goals from Hudson-odoi either side of a Ryan Yates strike helped Nuno’s men come from behind to win 3-1 away against Sheffield United and ease their fears of the drop. With Burnley to play on the final day, it is certainly a promising position to be in for the Reds.
Whenever Forest play well, it appears to be when their summer signing from Stamford Bridge is on the field and this was recognised by Lineker during the latest edition of The Rest is Football podcast.
“It’s good to see Callum Hudson-odoi realising that potential we all thought he had when he was younger at Chelsea and he had that awful injury,” said former England striker Lineker. “It was a bad one, it’s taken him time and I heard him in an interview saying he’s better off being out of London and just thinking football and living football. He was brilliant.”
He added: “Especially since Nuno Espirito Santo came – real belief in any player makes a difference.”
The 23-year-old has made 27 appearances in the top flight this campaign, scoring seven goals and assisting a further one. The jump he has made since Forest switched managers last December is there for all to see, as six of those strikes plus his one assist have come under Nuno’s reign.
He’s second only to Chris Wood in this season’s scoring charts for Forest.
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards added: “It is tough, isn’t it? You go to a new team, people start doubting your ability, then have you got that courage and the hunger to get back?
“Will your injury heal the way you want it to? This season I just think he’s been brilliant.”