Speaking to Le Parisien ahead of Sevilla’s Europa League semi-final against Juventus, Loïc Badé (23), on loan at the La Liga club from Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais, opened up about his difficult loan spell at Nottingham Forest earlier in the season.
Badé joined Rennes from RC Lens for €17m in the summer of 2021, but in his only season so far at the Roazhon Park, failed to nail down a starting spot. Consequently, he was shipped out on loan to Nottingham Forest at the beginning of the season in order to kickstart his career. However, amidst an enormous recruitment drive at the newly-promoted Premier League club, Badé didn’t play a competitive minute for the club.
However, that perhaps worked to the France U21 international’s advantage. Having not played for the side, after having played 90 minutes of Ligue 1 football prior to his loan spell in England, it allowed him to be recalled and shipped out on loan again, this time to Sevilla. He has thrived since arriving in Spain, scoring in the Europa League quarter-final against Manchester United and becoming a regular starter for the side.
In an interview with Le Parisien, Badé opened up about his difficult spell in Nottingham. “My arrival in England was the continuation of a good preparation. I give everything in training. But these are the coach’s choices. I thought I’d get my chance, but I didn’t. It was a blessing in disguise is what I tell myself. I’m staying positive. If I hadn’t had this difficult period, I wouldn’t have refound myself at Sevilla,” he said.
Speaking to L’Équipe last month, Badé said that he would be open to remaining at the La Liga club beyond the end of his loan spell, which expires at the end of the season.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
