Head coach Steve Cooper hopes Nottingham Forest can get some transfer business done early in January as he deals with a growing injury list.
But he acknowledges the reality might be somewhat trickier as much emphasis is placed on ensuring the right signings are made next month. The Reds have already had to navigate the challenges which came with getting a new-look group to gel following a summer overhaul, but they know a few key additions in the winter window could boost their survival bid.
Their plans have also been impacted by the number of long-term absentees now out of action. Giulian Biancone is ruled out for the rest of the campaign, while Omar Richards, Moussa Niakhate and Cheikhou Kouyate are also on the treatment table. It is “inconclusive” how long Morgan Gibbs-White will be ruled out for with a calf problem, and Jesse Lingard is a doubt for Sunday’s clash against Chelsea.
READ MORE: How Forest could line up against Chelsea amid Lingard doubt
READ MORE: Forest face six big transfer decisions ahead of January window
Squad value
As the club prepares to strengthen again in January, a new report has set out the impact of Nottingham Forest’s summer overhaul.
The Reds’ stunning rise up the table last season ended with promotion via the play-offs. And that led to sweeping changes to the squad as head coach Steve Cooper prepared for life in the Premier League, with Forest needing to strengthen as well as replace a significant number of departures.
A total of 22 new faces came through the City Ground doors, albeit three immediately headed out on loan. According to Transfermarkt, it meant the Reds recorded the biggest increase in squad value in 2022 across European football.
Bringing in the likes of club record signing Morgan Gibbs-White, Neco Williams, Jesse Lingard, Remo Freuler and Renan Lodi saw the squad value rocket. It increased by 233 million euros (£205m) to 280m euros (£247m).
Opposition view
Chelsea manager Graham Potter is expecting the City Ground crowd to give his side a hard time when they take on Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
It's the first time since February 1999 that the Blues have travelled to the famous old stadium for a Premier League game, which they won 3-1 on that occasion. They've met five times in cup competition since then, all at Stamford Bridge, with the West London outfit winning each time.
Since the breakaway thirty years ago Forest have only scored three goals against Chelsea in the league, but Potter refuses to take the three points on offer for granted. He knows they won't have it easy playing away to a team fighting for survival.
“You always have to be wary in the Premier League," Potter told football.london. You can’t say it’s the greatest league in the world and then think there are easy games. There aren’t.
Pundit's verdict
Pundit Mark Lawrenson has tipped Chelsea to beat Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on New Year's Day.
Forest currently sit in 19th place and host a Chelsea side who occupy eighth spot in the Premier League table. While the Reds have suffered some difficult results this year, Lawrenson thinks this match will be a competitive one.
He has backed Chelsea to pick up the three points, though, and thinks Graham Potter and his team will pick up a 2-1 win against Steve Cooper's men. Chelsea "have enough" despite the victory despite missing a number of players through injury.
"Forest just wilted away at Old Trafford," Lawrenson wrote in his weekly predictions column for Paddy Power. "Chelsea had a solid win but they’ve lost Reece James with injury again so I wonder if they’ll buy someone to help cover that position."
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