AliousNottingham Forest’s unexpected surge in the 2024/25 Premier League season has shocked fans and analysts alike.
Sitting third after 20 matches, the Reds have been transformed under Nuno Espírito Santo, losing just four times and keeping within six points of league leaders Liverpool midway through the campaign.
This remarkable success has been built on a rock-solid defensive setup.
The center-back duo of Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo, alongside goalkeeper Matz Sels, have turned Forest into a defensive fortress, achieving a league-high nine clean sheets.
This accomplishment is especially striking given the defensive struggles that plagued the team just a season ago.
Offensively, Forest has also flourished, led by an unlikely hero: Chris Wood.
The New Zealand striker, once deemed a questionable signing, has silenced critics with his prolific form. Since his permanent move from Newcastle United for £15m in 2023, Wood has netted 27 goals in 55 appearances.
His 2024/25 campaign has been his finest yet, scoring 12 goals in 20 matches—contributing 41% of Forest’s total goals and underscoring his vital role in Nuno’s counterattacking system.
Wood’s ability to thrive alongside creative players like Morgan Gibbs-White, Anthony Elanga, and Callum Hudson-Odoi has been instrumental in Forest’s success.
However, with the 32-year-old’s advancing age and contract situation, the club may be looking for long-term alternatives to sustain their momentum. One potential target is Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez, a player who could be Forest’s answer to Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres.
Gyokeres, a Swedish international, has been sensational for Sporting CP, scoring 73 goals in 79 matches since joining in 2023. While his €100m (£83.6m) release clause puts him out of Forest’s reach, Gimenez offers a more affordable yet comparable option.
The 23-year-old Mexican striker has drawn parallels to Gyokeres, with impressive statistics and a reported £35m price tag.
Forest’s owner Evangelos Marinakis previously attempted to sign Gimenez in the summer, but the player turned down the move.
Now, with Forest’s remarkable run and renewed interest, a transfer might be more appealing to the Feyenoord star.
Gimenez has demonstrated his worth, boasting a higher shot-on-target rate and greater defensive contribution than Gyokeres.
His ability to combine precision in front of goal with off-the-ball work makes him an ideal fit for Nuno’s counterattacking philosophy.
While signing Gimenez would be a significant financial commitment, his potential to elevate Forest’s attack could prove invaluable in their push for a top-four finish.
For Chris Wood, this could mean stiffer competition, but having a player of Gimenez’s caliber would undoubtedly strengthen the squad and keep the Reds on track for their European aspirations.
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