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.
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.
"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.
