Nottingham Forest overcame a PSR punishment to survive last summer. Nuno Espirito Santo will be targeting a more comfortable campaign in 2024/25.
Nottingham Forest – Premier League Season Preview 2024/25
Last season: 17th
Title odds: 1000/1
TFF prediction: 15th
Nottingham Forest Transfers 2024/25
In: Marko Stamenić, Eric da Silva Moreira, Elliot Anderson, Carlos Miguel, Nikola Milenkovic, Jota Silva.
Out: Odysseas Vlachodimos, Brandon Aguilera, Orel Mangala, Moussa Niakhaté.
Nottingham Forest survived a points deduction to secure Premier League status for another season last term, as Nuno Espirito Santo led the Tricky Trees to a 17th-placed finish. There’s nothing fancy about the tactical approach of the ex-Wolves and Spurs boss, but his sides are notoriously difficult to break down.
Last season, Forest recorded the fourth-best Expected Goals Against (xGA) despite shipping 67 goals, with individual errors and defensive mistakes undoing a largely solid base. The arrival of Nikola Milenkovic from Fiorentina is a coup and improves their defensive strength, with the Serbian centre-back among the most dominant players in Serie A for aerial duels last season.
💬 “It’s always our main idea, to improve our game.”
Watch Nuno’s first press conference of 2024/25 🎙️
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) August 15, 2024
It will also be hard to miss fellow recruit Carlos Miguel, with the Brazilian goalkeeper one of the tallest Premier League players ever at 6ft 8in.
Morgan Gibbs-White has remained despite transfer speculation and provides the spark for Nuno’s side, feeding a forward line featuring Anthony Elanga and the rejuvenated Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Home clashes with Bournemouth and Wolves, alongside a trip to Southampton, kickstart Forest’s season. It looks an opportunity to get off to a good start.
Key player: Morgan Gibbs-White
Morgan Gibbs-White’s exclusion from the provisional England squad for Euro 2024 looked unfortunate despite the calibre of players in similar positions, having shone across the last two league campaigns for Forest.
The 24-year-old recorded 10 assists in the Premier League in 2023/24, with only Ollie Watkins and Cole Palmer creating more across the division. A natural entertainer with flair and footwork, Gibbs-White often has the City Ground on their feet. Keeping him this summer amid PSR concerns should be considered a major win.
One to watch: Elliott Andersen
Newcastle were reluctant sellers of Elliot Anderson this summer and Forest swooped in to steal the midfielder among the Magpies’ PSR concerns.
An all-action midfielder with a desire to dribble at defences, a strong season for the 21-year-old could lead to an international tug-of-war between England and Scotland for his services. He’s represented the latter up to u-21 level but is on the radar of the FA, having been name-checked by outgoing head coach Gareth Southgate.
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