Nottingham Forest’s return to pre-season training means all eyes are now firmly on the upcoming Premier League campaign.
Head coach Steve Cooper has been clear about making the most of the “opportunity” in front of the Reds as they aim to build on last season’s successful survival mission. And with little more than a month to go before the team’s opening fixture against Arsenal on August 12, the hard work has already started.
There is the core of a good squad already in place, with the likes of Brennan Johnson, Morgan Gibbs-White, Danilo and Taiwo Awoniyi having shown they can cut it in the top-flight. Nevertheless, Cooper will hope to have some new signings to pick from by the time the trip to the Emirates comes around.
Forest are yet to welcome any new additions this summer, but there is no cause for panic. They do not need an overhaul on the same scale of 12 months ago, with quality rather than quantity the main focus.
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Plenty of names have been doing the rounds as potential targets. With that in mind, we have taken a look at three potential line-ups featuring some of those linked with moves to the City Ground.
Henderson in goal and an (un)familiar face
Recruiting Dean Henderson on a permanent basis is a priority for the Reds. It is proving to be easier said than done for the time being, however.
Manchester United’s own goalkeeping situation is delaying matters, leaving Forest having to be patient. The signs remain positive that a deal can be done eventually, and Henderson wouldn’t need any time to adapt to new surroundings or new teammates - he’d slot straight in.
Cooper tweaked formation several times last season as he adapted to the challenges of the Premier League. Henderson could have a back three/five or a four-man defence in front of him.
If he is physically and mentally up to it, might the back line include Omar Richards at some point? Fans are still waiting to get a glimpse of him as he has spent the past year sidelined with a hairline fracture of the leg. But with the former Bayern Munich man joining in pre-season training, it could be that at some point he can offer a solution for the left-back spot. That remains a significant ‘if’ for now, though - after all, he has been out of action for a very long time.
Team 1 (4-3-1-2): Henderson; Aurier, Felipe, Niakhate, Richards; Mangala, Yates, Danilo; Gibbs-White; Johnson, Awoniyi.
Hudson-Odoi and Lodi in
Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi is said to be on the Reds’ radar. He is someone Cooper knows well, with the pair having worked together with England Under-17s.
An exit from Stamford Bridge appears likely, and it seems the 22-year-old has plenty of admirers. It could take somewhere in the region of £10-15 million to prise him away.
If he does link up with Cooper again, he would provide versatility. But with Emmanuel Dennis likely to leave, Hudson-Odoi would be an option for out on the left as Forest look to strengthen their attacking resources.
As mentioned above, it remains to be seen who will be first-choice at left-back this season. Harry Toffolo is still on the books, while it seems getting Renan Lodi back isn’t completely ruled out - albeit it is looking tough,
Fitting Hudson-Odoi, Johnson, Gibbs-White and Awoniyi into an XI isn’t easy, at least not without leaving the midfield completely exposed. To accommodate them all, we’ve left out Ryan Yates, which isn’t ideal given how important he has been, and named a very attacking line-up. We’ll leave the selection headaches up to Cooper!
Team 2 (4-2-3-1): Henderson; Aurier, Felipe, Niakhate, Lodi; Mangala, Danilo; Johnson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Awoniyi.
Midfield strengthened
Forest do have options in the centre of the pitch. But they are still expected to target reinforcements in that area.
Tyler Adams is among those linked with a summer switch Trentside. However, the Reds would face a fight to get him, given the reported £40m price tag and the level of interest. If they somehow could pull it off, he would add to the competition for places.
Looking at alternative ways Forest could line-up… Cooper could also utilise a back three with wing-backs. It certainly worked a treat in some big games last season. It was also a formation which seemed to best suit Neco Williams, but it does mean some selection compromises at the top end of the pitch.
Team 3 (5-3-2): Henderson; Williams, Worrall, Felipe, Niakhate, Lodi; Adams, Yates, Danilo; Gibbs-White, Awoniyi.
