Nottingham Forest dream of a starting XI after a positive start to the summer transfer window

The new season is still a few weeks away, but it’s already clear that Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo will have a selection headache by the time he arrives.

After making promising strides under the Portuguese in the second half of last term, the Reds have a solid base to build on. They have started to do just that by completing some positive early business in the transfer window.

There is still work to be done before the August 30 deadline. But with the signings already done, Nuno has options on the pitch. He also has the resources to be flexible with lineups.

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There will be plenty of competition for places when Bournemouth visit the City Ground on the opening day of the campaign. Below, we take a look at what Forest’s strongest XI could look like as things stand.

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Newcomer Carlos Miguel and Matz Sels will battle it out to be No.1. The latter made the difference when he came on in the second half of last term, so perhaps Nuno will want some continuity – especially if there are changes in defense.

Miguel moved to England to play but doesn’t have much first team experience at the moment. Currently, Sels might just have the edge, but that could change if the Brazilian has a strong pre-season.

Defense

Right back Eric da Silva Moreira is showing great promise. He is definitely one for the future.

The 18-year-old will hopefully get some opportunities when the serious action begins, but he may have to be patient. Neco Williams has already proven himself at Premier League level and is aiming to pick up where he left off after being in fine form towards the end of last term. On the left, Ola Aina has made his own position – even if he is also capable of operating on the opposite flank.

As for the first-choice central defensive pairing, it’s hard to look past Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo for now. The former will hopefully help cover aerial threats, which remain an area of ​​Murillo’s game that needs improvement.

Of course, the situation could change if a big offer comes in for the Brazilian. A substantial offer could prove hard to refuse. Park that for now, though.

Middle

Further up the pitch it starts to get interesting for Nuno. He has some options in midfield – both in terms of personnel and formations – and has players capable of operating in a few different roles.

Finding the right combination will be key. Forest didn’t always get the balance right in that department last season.

Elliot Anderson’s versatility makes him a particularly valuable member of the team. However, the view in the North East is that he would benefit from establishing a position following his big-money move from Newcastle United.

Whatever that position is, Anderson has the ability to be a very good signing. But he doesn’t make NottinghamshireLive’s strongest XI at the moment.

Of course, it was only against Chesterfield, but Ibrahim Sangare and Danilo worked very well together in the opening friendly. Sangare looked sharper than last season, while Danilo has already shown what he can do. If both can have big campaigns, theirs could be a strong partnership. Anderson, Nicolas Dominguez and Ryan Yates may still have something to say about that, though.

Attack

Nuno made it clear he wanted wings before the window closed; Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi need cover and competition. Anderson can step in at No.10 but is unlikely to unseat Morgan Gibbs-White as first choice in that position.

As for the front, if the Reds can bring in another striker it would be a big boost. It’s difficult to decide who starts between Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi as it stands. Wood stepped up in his team-mate’s absence last season, but on his day – when he’s fully fit and firing – Awoniyi can cause defenders all sorts of problems.

Forest’s Strongest XI: Sells; Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Aina; Sangare, Danilo; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood.

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