A couple of Nottingham Forest players will feel that they have a point to prove when they take on Chelsea in the Premier League this Saturday.
Callum Hudson-Odoi was sold to Forest in 2023 after being deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.
Hudson-Odoi was rated highly by Cesc Fabregas, but things never quite worked out for him in west London in the end.
His teammate Matz Sels never played for Chelsea; however, the Forest goalkeeper also has something to prove this weekend.
Nottingham Forest players before Europa League game
Photo by Paul Bonser/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Chelsea chose Robert Sanchez over Matz Sels
While Sels is set to be in goal for Forest on Saturday, Robert Sanchez will be expected to be between the posts for Chelsea.
However, had Chelsea been more convinced about Sels, it easily could have been the 33-year-old starting for them at the City Ground.
According to journalist Simon Phillips, Sels came “very close” to joining Chelsea before the Club World Cup winners eventually decided to sign Sanchez.
At the time, Sels was at Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg. It means BlueCo were happy to offload the Belgian and sell him to one of Chelsea’s Premier League rivals instead of the Blues.
It would not be far-fetched to say, then, that BlueCo did not really appreciate Sels. Saturday now gives him another opportunity at revenge.
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez shouting out instructions
Photo by Steve Bardens – AMA/Getty Images
How Matz Sels and Robert Sanchez match up
Unlike Sanchez, who has kept a couple, Sels is yet to record a clean sheet this season. However, Forest’s backline as a whole is not as solid as it was last term under Nuno Espirito Santo.
Compared to the Chelsea goalkeeper, though, Sels is making more saves, while his overall passing has been more accurate. Sanchez’s long passing has been slightly more precise.
Goalkeeper League games Goals conceded Clean sheets Saves Save percentage Pass completion (long) Pass completion (overall)
Matz Sels 7 12 0 25 75.7% 35.8% 71.9%
Robert Sanchez 7 7 2 12 63.2% 36.5% 66.7%
Via FBref
Sels is now 33 and has not played at the elite level yet. He may not necessarily be the answer for Chelsea.
But Chelsea fans will feel that the same thing can be said about Sanchez after his lack of consistency since joining the club from Brighton & Hove Albion.